Fans React: Mavericks’ Teamwork Key to…
The Dallas Mavericks continued the homestand against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. The Mavericks defeated the Bulls 119-99 at the American Airlines Center. Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki was in attendance. Dallas improved to 5-3, while Chicago fell to 3-5.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 27 points, seven rebounds, and 13 assists. Kyrie Irving followed with 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Daniel Gafford added 17 points, seven rebounds, and one assist. Klay Thompson scored 13 points, six rebounds, and one assist. Jaden Hardy had 11 points and two assists.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Chicago Bulls Recap
The Dallas Mavericks’ home game against the visiting Chicago Bulls was action-packed, despite the Mavericks being without Dereck Lively II, PJ Washington, Dante Exum, and Maxi Kleber. The Mavericks’ starting lineup consisted of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford. Marshall gave the Mavericks a spark off the bench in Monday’s 134-127 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
The Mavericks swiftly got on the board with a free throw, but the Bulls responded with a two-pointer for an early 2-1 lead by the 10-minute mark of the first quarter. Then, Dallas surged starting with Irving’s first of many buckets. The Mavericks led 32-24 at the end of the first.
The Mavericks’ second quarter scoring was a bit tame compared to the first quarter, but the Bulls were almost the same. The Mavericks held a 56-45 lead at the halftime break. The Mavericks then took a 24-point lead midway through the third quarter. Kyrie Irving found Daniel Gafford in traffic. Gafford finished at the rim. The Mavericks had an 88-68 lead after three quarters.
The Mavericks’ scoring surge in the fourth quarter maintained a double-digit lead. Daniel Gafford got a transition bucket to go late in the fourth. The Mavericks reached the 100-point plateau in the final minutes. The Mavericks defeated the Bulls 119-99 in regulation.
