Mavericks 83 Bulls 77: Game 41 Recap

The Lead
The Mavs win ugly thanks to clutch play from Dirk and D-Will.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Nowitzki, 21
Rebounds: Pachulia, 10
Assists: Williams, 6
+-: Nowitzki, +13
Bulls
Points: Rose, 18
Rebounds: Gibson, 11
Assists: Butler, 6
+-: Moore, +5

Game Balls
Dirk Nowitzki
21 points, 7 rebounds, 7-7 FT
Deron Williams
18 points, 6 assists, 4-5 3PT

X-Factor
Wesley Matthews
Held Jimmy Butler to 4 points on 2-11 FG.

Play of the Game
With 2:16 left Dirk hit a contested three over Taj Gibson to give the Mavs a 79-72 lead, their biggest lead of the game.

Stat of the Game
After a lackluster first  half that saw them trail by 10 at halftime, the Mavs responded by outscoring the Bulls 47-31 in the second half.

Of Note

• The win was the Mavs first of the season when they scored fewer than 90 points.
• Butler was coming off a 53 point effort on Thursday. His 4 points tied for the fewest ever by a player coming off a 50+ point game.
• The Mavericks finished the first half of the season 23-18 putting them on pace for a 46 win season. 
• Joakim Noah left the game in the second quarter after separating his shoulder.
• Dirk has scored at least 20 points in 5 out of his last 6 games.
• The Mavs swept the season series from the Bulls for the first time since the 09-10 season.

Quote of Note
I blacked out. I don't remember what happened there."
Dirk joking about his key block of Derrick Rose.

Tweet of the Night

@swish41 is ready to hoop!!! pic.twitter.com/ljoc8FILng

— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) January 15, 2016

Next Up
The Mavericks (23-18) conclude their toughest week of the season on Sunday with a trip to face Spurs (35-6), who are still undefeated at home.