Mavericks Dominate Bulls with Selfless Play and Stifling Defense: 'We Needed This Win'

The Mavericks secure a dominant 119-99 win over the Bulls with strong defense, team-focused offense, and key contributions. “We needed this win,” Irving reflects.

DALLAS — On a night where the Dallas Mavericks could have leaned into their stars, they chose something different: a collective effort that left the Chicago Bulls searching for answers. Dallas’ 119-99 victory wasn’t just a routine win in November; it was a statement about who this team is striving to be.

The Mavericks set an early tone that Chicago could never overcome in a game marked by unselfish ball movement, lockdown defense, and a balanced attack.

From the opening tip, Dallas was in sync. The Mavericks opened the first quarter with a 17-0 run, fueled by crisp passes, high-paced transition play, and quick three-pointers from Luka Dončić, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving. The result? An early 22-9 lead that left the Bulls scrambling.

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“The movement was there; a lot of guys touched the ball early,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd noted after the game. “Making shots early meant they had to take it out, which slowed them down.” That rhythm would define the Mavericks’ night.

Irving’s Selfless Scoring and Leadership Set the Tone

Irving finished the night with 17 points, but what stood out wasn’t the score. It was how he scored and shifted his approach after hitting his first six shots while scoring 15 in the opening period.

By prioritizing involvement over volume, Irving showed restraint that kept the Mavericks’ offense dynamic and unpredictable. “When I start off that hot, I would love to keep pressing the gas,” he admitted. “But as we build this team, I want to continue to have that selfless approach and do the little things on both ends to get guys open.”

Irving’s ability to read the game and adapt his role is part of Kidd’s larger strategy. By leaning on Irving’s scoring as a catalyst rather than a crutch, the Mavericks could distribute the ball effectively, setting up an offense that finished the night with 33 assists on 45 made field goals.

“We have two of the best isolation players in the world, so it’s easy to lean on that,” Kidd explained. “But tonight, the team made a conscious effort to get Klay involved since you guys asked about it, like, ‘Can Klay get shots if Luka doesn’t?’ We listened! When multiple guys touch the ball, it’s hard to guard.”

Dončić’s Playmaking at Its Finest

While Irving sparked Dallas’ initial run, Dončić anchored the team’s playmaking for the full 48 minutes. Logging 27 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds, Dončić was, as always, the maestro on the court. His performance marked his second consecutive game with double-digit assists, following a 15-assist outing against Indiana.

In two games, Dončić has amassed 28 assists, tying him with Trae Young for the second-most assists by any player over a two-game stretch this season.

For Dončić, the difference was simple. “Guys are making shots,” Kidd observed, emphasizing the impact of collective efficiency. “The catch-and-shoot is there, and the run-outs were big. If we can throw that ball ahead and put pressure on the defense, if we can rebound the ball, we can get out and run and get some easy baskets.”

Dončić’s ability to orchestrate the offense through quick transition throw-ahead passes and decisive dishes in the half-court when bending the defense on drives or manipulating the weak side set up a Mavericks team that seemed comfortable and, perhaps more importantly, connected.

Second-Half Knockout Run: Defense as Offense

If the first half was about establishing dominance, the third quarter was about crushing any hope Chicago had left. Dallas started the second half with a 13-0 run, stretching their lead to 30 points. By then, the game was all but over.

Kidd praised the team’s discipline, which resulted from a complete 48-minute focus. “Our intent was right as a group for 48 minutes,” he said. “This is something we got to build on, especially if we’re going to have these injuries.”

The defensive intensity was palpable. Dallas limited Chicago to 41.9% shooting from the field and a lackluster 12-of-42 from beyond the arc. Forced into tough, contested shots, the Bulls struggled to find their rhythm against Dallas’ well-timed rotations and relentless closeouts.

“The flow and rhythm of the game were on our side tonight,” Kidd said. “Avoiding silly fouls and not sending them to the free throw line helped on defense, and rebounding was big—we did a great job not giving them second chances.”

Depth Tested, Bench Rises to the Challenge

Missing key players such as P.J. Washington (right knee sprain), Dereck Lively II (shoulder), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring strain), and Danté Exum (right wrist surgery), Dallas relied heavily on its bench. Daniel Gafford, who continued to step up in a starting role, scored 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting while adding 7 rebounds and 3 blocks against his former team.

Gafford’s rim protection was pivotal, helping Dallas control the paint with a 60-48 scoring advantage over the Bulls. Kidd also pointed to Naji Marshall, who stepped up in his starting role with 8 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals.

“Naji was great,” Kidd said. “His versatility to start or come off the bench really gives us options. With the injuries we’re dealing with, having him step up is a big help.”

Gafford and Marshall’s contributions underscored the Mavericks’ “next man up” mentality, a theme Kidd has preached throughout the season.

From Beyond the Arc: Thompson Stretches the Defense

Dallas maintained its streak of hitting 10 or more three-pointers in every game this season, finishing 12-of-30 from deep. Thompson contributed three of those, bringing his season total to 27 made threes over eight games, matching the best start of his career. He finished with 13 points and 6 rebounds.

“The three-point shooting opened up everything for us tonight,” Kidd noted. Thompson’s presence on the perimeter stretched Chicago’s defense, allowing Dallas to exploit mismatches and create driving lanes for Dončić and Irving.

This three-point proficiency has been a pillar of the Mavericks’ offense this season, and Wednesday’s performance showed the dangers opponents face when Dallas finds its rhythm from beyond the arc.

Carrying Momentum into the Homestand Finale

With the win over Chicago, Dallas showcased the elements they hope to carry forward as the season progresses: disciplined defense, unselfish offense, and the ability to adapt under adverse conditions.

Irving, reflecting on the team’s progress, emphasized the importance of continuity. “Tonight was one of those wins we really needed, and now we just need to carry it over into Friday,” he said. Kidd’s emphasis on executing with purpose resonated throughout the game, as the Mavericks controlled each quarter with a cohesive, team-first approach.

Dallas’s next opponent, the Suns, will test its consistency. Can it sustain the unselfish play, aggressive defense, and resilience that defined Wednesday’s win?

The Mavericks have the pieces, both established and emerging, to compete with the best. But as Kidd and his players know, the key will be building on performances like this one, game by game, until they form the habits of a true contender in mid-season form.

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