Mavericks vs. Bulls: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
Saturday night, NBA fans will be treated to a matchup between the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks and one of the teams looking to claim that right this season in the Chicago Bulls.
It's been an up-and-down season for Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks. They've clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference, but it's still to be determined whether Dallas will enter as the No. 6 or No. 7 seed.
After a pair of overtime losses, Dallas rebounded Wednesday night with a 117-110 victory over the Houston Rockets behind 35 points from Nowitzki. Last year's NBA Finals MVP has been on a roll, scoring a combined 75 points in Dallas' last two games. He is having a solid final month of the regular season, averaging 24.7 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game.
For the Bulls, they still have the NBA's best record at 47-16, but the Miami Heat are hot on their tails for the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed.
All eyes will be on the health of point guard and reigning MVP Derrick Rose, who's missed his third straight game and his 26th of the season on Thursday. Rose has missed 16 of Chicago's past 19 games and getting him healthy and producing is priority No. 1 for the Bulls.
With only three regular-season games remaining, Chicago would like to see Rose play in as many as possible and knock some rust off before the playoffs begin.
This late in the season, a matchup between playoff teams is an important one in terms of seeding. Here's a look at everything you need to know.
When: Saturday, April 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: United Center in Chicago, Ill.
Watch: WGN
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Betting Line: No Line
Mavericks Key Injuries
No Key Injuries
Bulls Key Injuries
Day-to-Day: Derrick Rose (foot)
What They're Saying
ESPN's Michael Wilbon thinks the Bulls are in a bit of trouble after losing to both the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat within the past four days. Chicago isn't exactly entering the playoffs on a hot streak, only posing a 5-5 record during the month of April.
"If the Bulls can't beat Indy [in the season finale], they're probably looking at finishing No. 2 in the East and having to go through the Knicks and Pacers to reach the conference finals … instead of going through Philly and Boston. You think this is a small detail? It ain't. Last spring, by earning the No. 1 seed, the Bulls played a Pacers team that finished below .500 and then underachieving Atlanta. The Bulls should be looking at sweeping Philly and a Boston team they match up with very favorably.
"
Most Important Player to Watch: Dirk Nowitzki
Nowitzki has been on a tear after a dreadful start to the season. Even though the Bulls are the best defensive team in the NBA, allowing only 88.5 points per game, slowing down Nowitzki will be a priority.
He's averaged 30.0 points per game throughout his last five games and will need to come through with a huge effort for the Mavs to steal a win on the road in Chicago. Luol Deng and Company will have their hands full trying to contain Nowitzki.
Key Matchup: Bulls Offense vs. Mavs Defense
This is a broader matchup, but it's key because Chicago is coming off a season-low 72 points against Miami and must find a way to get the offense rolling.
With Rose, Deng, Richard Hamilton and Carlos Boozer all healthy, the Bulls can match up against anyone, but they are all banged up. Against Miami, Chicago went through stretches where it missed 9-of-10 shots and 10-of-11. It looked like a team that doesn't have enough offense to get through the postseason.
Without a healthy Rose, the Bulls don't have that guy to go to late in tight games, which is also a big problem.
Chicago has three games to figure things out and it needs to get things heading in the right direction beginning Saturday night.
Prediction
Mavs 94, Bulls 89
