“One Game at a Time”: Mavericks Edge Bulls, Climb to Ninth in West Playoff Race

Mavericks escape with a 120-119 win over the Bulls, moving to ninth in the West behind key plays from Dinwiddie, Thompson, and Davis in a tight finish.

Photo: Dallas Mavericks

Klay Thompson scored 20 points, P.J. Washington added 19 in his return from injury, and the Dallas Mavericks held off a late surge to defeat the Chicago Bulls 120-119 on Saturday night at the United Center.

The victory pushed Dallas (37-38) into sole possession of ninth place in the Western Conference, moving 1.5 games ahead of idle Phoenix in the tight three-team race with Sacramento for the final two play-in spots. The win also capped a 3-1 East Coast road trip, marking the Mavericks’ fourth win in five games.

“We’re just focused on one game at a time,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “As you know this group is close, they’re fighting for each other, they’re executing the game plan. So, to end the road trip with a W and 3-1 is big this time of the year, no matter what the record is.”