Chicago Bulls vs. Dallas Mavericks: Postgame Grades and Analysis
Derrick Rose secured a pivotal offensive rebound with 4.7 seconds remaining, helping the Chicago Bulls edge the Dallas Mavericks, 102-98, Friday night at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Rose and Jimmy Butler both netted 20 points for the Bulls, who committed a season-high 24 turnovers but escaped with the victory largely due to a 47-30 rebounding advantage.
The Mavericks scored 32 points off turnovers and outscored Chicago 20-8 on the fast break but converted just six of their 18 three-point attempts. Dirk Nowitzki led the team with 24 points.
Chicago denied Dallas coach Rick Carlisle his 600th career victory and improved to 23-1 when leading after three quarters. The Bulls never trailed in the game.
| Derrick Rose | B- |
| Pau Gasol | B |
| Jimmy Butler | A |
| Joakim Noah | D+ |
| Rest of Team | C+ |
| Monta Ellis | C |
| Rajon Rondo | C- |
| Dirk Nowitzki | B+ |
| Chandler Parsons | B- |
| Rest of Team | C+ |
Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose: B-
As a jump-shooter, Rose is typically better in catch-and-shoot situations. However, the explosive guard saw some success off the dribble Friday and drilled a few 15-foot-plus attempts.
Rose was sloppy with the ball at times, though, ceding possession five times. He ultimately registered 20 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Pau Gasol: B
The newly crowned All-Star dealt with Tyson Chandler throughout the game, finding a mere handful of even decent looks. Nevertheless, Gasol knocked down a pair of free throws with 0.1 seconds remaining to seal the win, finishing with 13 points, 16 rebounds and his fifth straight double-double.
Jimmy Butler: A
Butler spent his night attempting to shake Monta Ellis but was held in check by Dallas' pesky guard through 24 minutes. During the third frame, though, Butler tallied 11 points, three assists and two steals.
The versatile small forward clearly sparked Chicago in the second half, singlehandedly creating a couple extra possessions with constant energy. Butler added eight rebounds, six assists and three steals to his team-high 20 points.
Joakim Noah: D+
Following a four-game absence, Joakim Noah was back in the Chicago lineup, but the center was a step slow for a majority of the night and committed four turnovers. Noah managed six points and seven rebounds.
Rest of Team: C+
Tony Snell started in place of an injured Mike Dunleavy and continued to display more confidence on both ends, but he was outmatched on the defensive side. Snell scored double digits for the third consecutive outing, netting 10 for the Bulls.
Taj Gibson took advantage of Dwight Powell and Richard Jefferson in the paint, working the Dallas reserves for 15 points and seven boards off the bench. Kirk Hinrich was constantly caught out of position, committing four personal fouls on the night.
Dallas Mavericks
Monta Ellis: C
Though it seemed like the Mavericks kept waiting for Ellis to take over, the shooting guard never quite found a rhythm. Ellis didn't bury a shot outside of the lane until the third quarter and misfired on seven of his 11 jumpers.
Defensively, he couldn't stop Butler during a key stretch, which proved to be a major difference in the final score. With that being said, Ellis did nab a season-high five steals, recording 17 points and four assists in the loss.
Rajon Rondo: C-
Rondo defended Rose tightly throughout his 27 minutes but was the victim of a few tip-your-cap conversions by the Bulls superstar.
Plus, the league's most notable in-season acquisition had a limited offensive presence and was benched down the stretch. The Mavericks needed an outside threat, going with Devin Harris over Rondo during the final five minutes.
Dirk Nowitzki: B+
The 7-footer spent the early part of the night as a tertiary scoring option to Ellis and Chandler Parsons with great success. Overall, Nowitzki buried 10 of 15 shots for 24 points and seven rebounds.
He kept Dallas close until the final minutes, but the 17-year veteran forced a few shots as the clock ticked away. He missed three of his final four attempts.
Chandler Parsons: B-
Parsons easily had the most favorable matchup in Snell. When Parsons attacked the rim, he typically got the better of his opponent. However, the swingman backed away from a couple drives and dished the ball outside.
He recorded 19 points and shot 8-of-14 from the floor but failed to use his size as a rebounder to the Mavericks' advantage.
Rest of Team: C+
Chandler was his usual defensive-oriented self, containing Gasol and altering multiple attempts at the rim. He finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and a season-high five blocks.
J.J. Barea provided the biggest impact by a Dallas reserve, tallying nine points during the first half before playing just three minutes in the second. Harris chipped in nine points as well.
What's Next?
Chicago (29-16) returns home to host the Miami Heat (19-24) Sunday, Jan. 25, at the United Center. ABC will broadcast the Eastern Conference clash nationally at 1 p.m. ET.
Dallas (30-14) travels to face Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans (22-21) Sunday evening for a 6 p.m. tipoff at Smoothie King Center. Fox Sports Southwest will televise the Southwest Division matchup.
Follow Bleacher Report NBA writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR
