CHICAGO, IL — Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks (13-5) will take on the Chicago Bulls (11-6) in their 3rd game of this current 4 game home stand. The Mavericks have won three straight and the first two of the trip, but will take on a Bulls team that is starting to really round out it’s roster and get into the form they envision for a championship run this season.

Despite not having their leader, Dirk Nowitzki, in uniform Saturday Night, the Mavericks still took care of business in Philadelphia. Tonight, they will have all of their top guns in uniform for what should be one of the top match-ups throughout the league tonight.

 

 

	Mavericks Projected Starters	Bulls Projected Starters
PG	Jameer Nelson 7.6 PPG, 4.6 APG, 2.4 RPG	Derrick Rose 16.1 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.0 RPG
SG	Monta Ellis 19.6 PPG, 4.8 APG, 2.7 RPG	Jimmy Butler 21.9 PPG, 3.1 APG, 5.7 RPG
SF	Chandler Parsons 14.4 PPG, 2.3 APG, 4.9 RPG	Mike Dunleavy 9.8 PPG, 2.0 APG, 3.9 RPG
PF	Dirk Nowitzki 19.4 PPG, 2.1 APG, 5.7 RPG	Pau Gasol 19.4 PPG, 2.0 APG, 11.0 RPG
C	Tyson Chandler 11.3 PPG, 1.3 APG, 11.3 RPG	Joakim Noah 8.1 PPG, 4.4 APG, 9.6 RPG

 

The Health of Derrick Rose

It’s been yet another roller coaster season for Derrick Rose and his overall health. After having a scare on the second night of a back-to-back in Denver (Hamstring), he has played in the last 4 games, while looking good in the process. The Bulls have gone 3-1 in those games, losing only to Denver, in which Rose only tallied 10 minutes of playing time. When Rose is healthy, the Bulls have one of the scarier starting lineups in all of basketball, one that could go toe-to-toe with our Dallas Mavericks.

 

Rest For The German

If I was to tell you that Dirk Nowitzki was averaging the 2nd lowest minutes-per-game in his illustrious 16-year career, would you believe me? What if I was also to also tell you that his lowest ever was his rookie season, where he logged 20.4 mpg? Nowitzki is playing 28.4 minutes-per-game right now, and his team is 13-5 in the process. It’s a testament to just how deep this team is, and how quickly they can put you away for good early. He has played over 32 minutes only three times this season. If the Mavericks can continue to put teams away, and find ways to rest Nowitzki, it makes him that much fresher when the playoffs come around.

 

Injuries

Mavs: Felton is still dealing with ankle issues, but has been upgraded to probable, according to Earl. K. Sneed.

Bulls: Taj Gibson (sprained left ankle) is considered questionable for tonight’s game.

 

All-Time Series

The Mavs have played 66 games against the Bulls, and are dead locked at 33 wins a piece. The Mavs and Bulls, true to form, split the season series last season as well.

 

Prediction

This should be an interesting match-up. The Mavericks lead the league in scoring, while the Bulls don’t have a very difficult time putting the ball in the basket either. In the past, these games have been very physical and have come down to rebounding, which is something the Bulls have an edge on. Both teams are rested, so I look for fresh legs and a very entertaining game between two of the leagues best teams. In the end, I think the Mavericks high flying offense is too much for the Bulls to keep up with. Mavs win 108-101. 

 

Team Comparison	Mavericks	Bulls
Points	109.1 (1st)	101.1 (13th)
Rebounds	41.7 (19th)	43.0 (9th)
Assists	24.3 (5th)	21.6 (13th)
Points Allowed	100.1 (19th)	98.3 (11th)

 

Dirk Nowitzki & Beard:  Game Winner versus the Chicago Bulls on March 30, 2013