Caron Butler (4) and the Mavericks were able to withstand the fourth quarter charge of the injury-depleted Bulls. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)In reversing one previous trend, it seems as though Dallas has picked up another.
While the Dallas Mavericks (46-22) were able to kick their recent penchant for slow starts at home, and get back to their winning ways, the Mavs nearly blew a huge first half lead to the Chicago Bulls (31-36). Even without their leading scorer (Derrick Rose), rebounder (Joakim Noah), and starter Luol Deng; Chicago was able to get to the paint at will during their fourth quarter surge.
The Bulls made 12 of 17 shots in the final quarter and eight of those baskets were on lay-ups and dunks. Chicago outscored Dallas 34-25 in the quarter and 62-49 in the second half and neither Erick Dampier nor Brendan Haywood were able to guard the paint. Damp and Haywood combined for four blocks on the evening but, for some reason, the fourth quarter was an olay to the basket for the Bulls.
Luckily for the Mavs, after the Bulls had got to within eight with 6:02 remaining, J.J. Barea rattled off 10 consecutive points and Dallas was able to hang on.
"We've got to get better at closing out games," said Barea, who finished with 15 points and five assists in 24 minutes off the bench. "But as long as we keep getting those leads and as long as we keep getting W's, it's all fine."
Barea filled in for Jason Kidd who sat out both the second and fourth quarter's of the contest as the game seemed to be in hand. Dallas led by as many as 23 points in the third quarter (73-50) and 18 in the fourth (90-72), but as you can see that lead was trimmed down dramatically in the final quarter. But, as Barea pointed out, a win is a win.
Batman and Robin Putting In Work
Caron Butler had his highest scoring game in a Mavericks' uniform (27) as he and Dirk Nowitzki (26 points) wreaked havoc on the Bulls defense. The dynamic duo (still trying to make up a good nickname for them, Butwitzki and Nutler aren't cutting it) combined to make 16 of their 17 attempts and each did it in different ways.
While Butler was driving to the basket and getting to the free-throw line (14-16 from the charity stripe), Nowitzki was barely touching rim with his mid-range jumper. Nowitzki also chipped in eight rebounds, five assists and three steals while Butler had five rebounds and three assists.
All-in-all a great night for the Mavs two best scorers and Butler's willingness to drive to the basket makes Dallas a different team.
JET Cleared For Takeoff
After missing the last five games due to a fractured orbital bone suffered against the Timberwolves on March 3, Jason Terry made his return to the lineup - now with his own theme music.
Every time JET checked into the game, the crowd was serenaded with The Phantom of the Opera theme - referencing Terry's half-mask that he was wearing to protect that fractured bone. Terry didn't disappoint after he checked in with 4:26 left in the first quarter as he made his first three baskets in less than four minutes.
Terry finished going 4-10 from the field for nine points but his energetic spark coming back from injury - especially so fast - doesn't show up on the stat-sheet.
What's Next
Another long break for the Mavericks before they take on the Boston Celtics at home on Saturday night.
Dallas defeated the Celtics, in Boston, earlier this season 99-90 thanks to 37 points from Dirk Nowitzki. Boston was without Kevin Garnett in that game who, barring any setbacks, is expected to play Saturday night.
Boston has won three of their past four games and boast the league's second best scoring defense, allowing only 94 points per game. Boston is also one of the best road team's in the NBA, tied with the Mavericks for second-best at 22-12. However, the Celtics do play Friday night in Houston so they might be lacking energy on the second night of a back-to-back.
Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. and can be seen locally on KXTA 21.
News and Notes:
- Dallas has now won 19 of it's last 22 games against Chicago and both meetings this season.
- Jason Kidd (0-5) was held scoreless for only the second time this season, the other was a 131-96 whipping from the Lakers on Jan. 3.
- Rookie Rodrigue Beaubois scored 11 points in eight minutes of game action. Roddy B has scored in double-figures in each of the last eight games.
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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