Dallas Mavericks Offense Not Enough to Beat Bulls

Behind a massive game from Kris Dunn, the Chicago Bulls handed the Dallas Mavericks another loss on the season.

The Dallas Mavericks (13-27) shot 53 percent from the field and scored 124 points against the visiting Chicago Bulls (14-25) on Friday night.  Unfortunately, the Bulls shot 56 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range, which was just enough to escape from Dallas with a 127-124 win.

The Mavs have been effective on offense lately, but find themselves in the middle of another losing skid. The loss to the Bulls comes just two nights after the Mavs gave up 125 points in a 125-122 last-minute loss to Golden State.

The common denominator in both losses is poor defensive play. The combined 246 points the Mavs scored in their last two losses should have been enough to win both games. Instead, the Mavs gave up a disappointing 252 combined points and lost both.

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The Bulls’ offensive success started early and never went away. However, the Mavs offense kept them in the game and allowed them to take an 88-80 lead into the fourth quarter. Then the unthinkable happened; the Mavs gave up a franchise-worst 47 points in the final period to fall to the Bulls.

In the final minutes of the game, the Mavs started fouling the Bulls to make them earn their points at the three throw line, but the Bulls were just as effective there too. Justin Holiday hit eight free throws and Kris Dunn added three of his own to help seal the win. Dunn scored a career-high 32 points and Holiday added 23 points to lead the Bulls. The duo was a combined 9 of 11 behind the 3-point line.

The Mavericks had six players score in double-figures. They were led by Wesley Matthews and Harrison Barnes who scored 24 and 23 points respectively. Dirk Nowitzki added 19 points and was 3 of 3 behind the 3-point line.

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The Mavs will look to bounce back when they host the New York Knicks on Sunday evening. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 P.M EST.