3 studs, 2 duds in Mavericks’ thrilling home win against Bulls

1. Stud - Dereck Lively II

For years Mavs fans have been begging to find a franchise center and after tonight’s performance, Dereck Lively II has shown everyone that he was the missing piece in the puzzle for this squad.

In a big win, Lively II was all over the floor while putting up seven points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Lively II also had a team-high of a plus-minus of plus 15.

In his first four games, Lively II has recorded one block. He was able to show fans his skills of being a perimeter and interior defender throughout the night as well. Lively II had made Nikola Vucevic and Zach Lavine earn everything around the rim.

Lively II had a clutch out-of-bounds save off of an offensive rebound that would go out to Tim Hardaway Jr., which would create a four-point play.

The 7-foot-1 center finished the night with 7 offensive rebounds which created multiple second-chance points for the Mavs.

Lively II also proved to fans that he’s a very unselfish player, as he dumped off multiple passes to Hardaway Jr. and Jones Jr. that would result in clutch 3-pointers.

At the pace Lively II is going at, expect for him to be in the early talks as a front-runner for earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team list this season.