Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving probably read the scouting report like a menu. The two players had to be salivating at the idea of going up against a Chicago Bulls defense that has allowed the single-most points in the paint per game this season.
To the Bulls’ credit, they started the game with some promising ball movement. Their quick decision-making led to some easy early buckets. But it still felt like only a matter of time before Doncic and Company would start feasting. The Mavericks rattled off a 17-0 run in the first quarter that put them up 22-9. Chicago couldn’t seem to keep their hands on the basketball, and Ayo Dosunmu’s ice-cold 0-6 start from downtown (in the first quarter!) surely didn’t help the cause.
The only positive for the Bulls in the opening frame was the extended run for Matas Buzelis. Joining Dalen Terry as first off the bench, he put together easily his best rotational run yet. For a little more on that, make sure to check out our post here.
Chicago was able to stay within striking distance in the second quarter thanks to the Dallas offense cooling off a bit, yet they still found themselves down double digits heading into the locker room. Then, the wheels promptly fell off to begin the third quarter, as Dallas strung together a 13-0 run that featured four of their five players on the floor scoring.
I wish there was more to say. While we have watched this Bulls team erase a couple of 20-point deficits this season, Chicago was playing far too erratic for that to happen tonight. They turned the ball over 23 times, allowing the Mavericks to score 28 points off those mistakes. The craziest thing is that Dallas won this game by 20 while shooting only 12-38 from 3-point range. Part of that was the Bulls’ own 12-42 shooting effort from downtown, but it mainly feels like another major indictment of the Bulls’ incapacity to protect the paint.
Players Grades
Matas Buzelis – B+ (Ankin Law: “Making it Personal” Player of the Game)
Stats: 13 PTS, 9 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK
Considering he’s only two weeks into his NBA career, Matas Buzelis nearly passes this game with flying colors. Billy Donovan finally gave him some more room to run, and he flashed the all-around skillset that drew so many to him in the pre-draft process. However, the most encouraging part of tonight’s game was his jumper. Buzelis didn’t hesitate to fire away, and he was rewarded with a 3-4 shooting effort.
Nikola Vucevic – B
Stats: 14 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST
As is becoming the norm, Nikola Vucevic was a stabilizing force for a chaotic Bulls team. He helped keep the offense in motion with his passing and took advantage of Dallas’ undermanned frontcourt. Honestly, they probably could’ve played through him even more throughout the first half. I’m glad he got some extra rest, though. Billy Donovan only played Vucevic 25 minutes due to the score, and this could be important for tomorrow night’s battle with the Timberwolves.
Coby White – D+
Stats: 8 PTS, 5 AST, 4 TOV
Coby White failed to score double-digit points for the second time this season, and he was just as much a part of the turnover troubles as anyone. B
Ayo Dosunmu – D+
Stats: 6 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 2-13
Ayo Dosunmu was ice cold from the moment the ball was tipped. He went 0-6 in the first quarter, helping the Dallas Mavericks string together an early back-breaking 17-0 run. He’s now shooting just 2-10 from downtown on the year. While I respect his shooters-shoot mentality, which coincides with the Bulls’ new identity, he needs to know when to press pause.
Josh Giddey – D+
Stats: 10 PTS, 6 AST, 3 REB, 5 TOV
This felt like one of those games where Josh Giddey should have and could have done a lot more. As the team’s point guard of the future, you’d like to see him try to slow down the offense at times and not force so many passes.
Box Score
Check out the full box score here.