Three things from the Dallas Mavericks defeating the Chicago Bulls, 99-98

Three things from the Dallas Mavericks defeating the Chicago Bulls, 99-98

Three things from the Dallas Mavericks defeating the Chicago Bulls, 99-98
NBA

Three things from the Dallas Mavericks defeating the Chicago Bulls, 99-98

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We’re going streaking!

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Chicago Bulls 99-98 to give the Mavericks their first three game winning streak of the 2016-17 season. Harrison Barnes scored 20 points while old war horse Dirk Nowitzki posted a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Jimmy Butler led the Bulls in defeat with a near triple double: 24 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds.

The Bulls started the game with a 7-0 run after Deron Williams started the game with two ugly turnovers. Harrison Barnes broke the seal for Dallas with an above the break wing three. Wesley Matthews scored the next possession on sweet isolation step back elbow jumper. The Bulls extended their lead to 17-10 after Michael Carter-Williams and Paul Zipser combined for three straight three pointers. After a timeout, the Mavericks went on an 8-0 run of their own, which included a pair of fantastic assists for dunks from Seth Curry. The Bulls used a timeout of their own and immediately retook the lead and finished the quarter up 28-24.

The second quarter began with a Dwyane Wade steal and dunk to give the Bulls a six point lead. The Mavericks rallied back to take a 33-31 lead after a Dirk Nowitzki jumper. The Seth Curry show continued with a small barrage of buckets as Dallas eventually built a 9 point lead. The Bulls quickly whittled the lead down to two before a Wesley Matthews three followed by a turnback the clock drive and layup from Deron Williams gave Dallas a 54-47 lead at the half.

The Mavericks piled on big to start the third period, getting ahead by as many as 13 mainly as a result of Seth Curry lighting up Chicago. Through the remainder of the quarter, the Bulls slowly worked their way back into the game through strong play from Jimmy Butler and some incredible shot making from Robin Lopez. By the end of the quarter, the 13 point Maverick lead shrank all the way down to two, with Dallas leading 76-74 heading into the final quarter.

The fourth opened with both teams repeatedly exchanging buckets. For the Bulls, rookie big man Christiano Felicio finally made his size felt through screens and rolls to the bucket. J.J. Barea eventually extended the Maverick lead to five before Jimmy Butler willed the Bulls back into it and even took a one point lead. That lead ballooned to four before Harrison Barnes brought Dallas roaring back with a three off a drive and kick from Deron Williams.

The Mavericks retook the lead again, this time through a Deron Williams drive and nifty up and under. A Dirk free throw gave Dallas a two point cushion with under a minute and a half to play. Doug McDermott tied the game at 96 with a ridiculous runner. Harrison Barnes missed a go-ahead jumper with 38 seconds remaining and Jimmy Butler responded with an absurd 18 footer with 22 seconds left. Dallas did not take a timeout and responded with a Wesley Matthews three pointer. The Bulls were unable to get a good shot off despite having 11 seconds after a timeout. Dallas wins 99-98 to improve to 14-27.

Let’s talk about that final play, shall we?

This might well be the best play the Mavericks have run all dang season. The timing helps, but considering it was without the benefit of a time out is interesting. Usually Rick Carlisle is dictating the plays, but tonight Rick let Deron Williams call the shots down the stretch because “Rondo knows everyone’s plays.”

The set up went like this: Deron Williams brought the ball up with both Dirk Nowitzki and Harrison Barnes setting a staggered ball screen above the three point line. Wesley Matthews as on the left wing, with Seth Curry on the right wing. Facing the basket, Williams started on the left side and ran his man through both screens, forcing Nikola Mirotic to switch on to him. Williams uses a brief hesitation and gets past Mirotic with ease.

Mean while, on the right wing, Seth Curry floats down to the right corner and on the left wing Wesley Matthews fakes a back door cut. With Dirk and Harrison up at the three point line, Matthews’ defender Dwyane Wade had to make a judgement call. He thought his man might have been cutting but Williams also had a free path to the bucket. He opted to try to help Mirotic and since Matthews faked the cut, he had floated back out to the left wing and was wide open. That was beautiful basketball.