Balanced Mavs overcome LaVine, Bulls

[October 23, 2018]  Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine had a third consecutive 30-point game to start the season, but the more balanced Dallas Mavericks took control in the fourth quarter to earn a second consecutive home win, 115-109, Monday night.

LaVine finished with a game-high 34 points on 11-of-15 shooting. However, the Bulls slumped through the first six minutes of the decisive fourth quarter to keep them searching for their first win of the season.

Meanwhile, the Mavs had six players score in double figures, all contributing between 12 and 20 points, led by guard Wesley Matthews' 20-point effort that included four 3-pointers.

In a nip-and-tuck game through three quarters, neither team could crack a lead larger than five points until one minute into the fourth quarter. Mavs forward Maxi Kleber swished a 3-pointer, his first of two in the period, for a 91-84 lead that capped an 11-3 spurt that started in the final minutes of the third quarter.

Dallas rode that momentum to a 96-86 lead and never looked back.

The Mavs received another double-double performance from center DeAndre Jordan, 18 points and 16 rebounds. Rookie point guard Luka Doncic followed up his 26-point showing Saturday with 19 points, 13 coming in the first half. He added six assists and three rebounds.

Kleber and fellow Mavs reserve forward Dwight Powell both turned in hustling, momentum-fueling fourth-quarter performances. Each finished with 12 points, and they combined for nine rebounds.

Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) looks to shoot as Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

LaVine scored 18 points in the first half on 6-of-6 shooting. He kept it going in the second half, but he simply didn't get enough help. Jabari Parker finished with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting off the bench, but he managed just four points in the second half.

Justin Holiday (16 points) and Bobby Portis (12) points were the only other Bulls to score in double figures.

LaVine and Parker combined to go 19 of 29 (65.5 percent) from the floor, while the rest of the Bulls went 22 of 51 (43.1 percent).

--Field Level Media

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