On a series of six consecutive triple-doubles at 30 points or more, including the latest against the Pistons on Sunday evening at 39 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Luka Doncic starts on the same basis in Chicago. Untenable from the first quarter, he distributes caviars as he pleases, here to Derrick Jones Jr. at 3-points, there to Dereck Lively for a big dunk, or there again for Lively (at 10 points at 5/5 on shots) 'quarterback' style (like his friend Jokic). He finished with 15 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds in a one-sided first quarter (44-16).
Caught by the throat from the start, and led by up to 28 points, the Bulls finally reacted at the start of the 2nd quarter, with a 7-0. But Gafford comes with a big two-handed dunk and the Mavs start again, with Washington also escaping for an easy dunk in transition. Mute in the second quarter, Doncic again serves Lively who capitalizes. Despite Vucevic's efforts inside, the Mavs remain firmly in control at the break (62-42).
The Mavs in demonstration
The Texan combine is running at full speed again after returning from the locker room, with Doncic once again finding the target from afar, but also Irving who is heating up. All this while the two dunking pivots: Gafford and Lively, continue to gorge themselves on good balls under the circle! The Bulls defense is at bay and Dallas is widening the gap further, going up to +34! Before the last quarter, mass is already said at the United Center (98-64)…
Ultimately, it only remains to be seen whether Doncic will continue his triple-double streak to 30 points or more. Knowing that he is now at 24 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds, he only has 6 points left to score. 1/5 away in the last quarter, Doncic will finally sit down on the bench at 27 units, leaving the field to Jaden Hardy (11 points in the last quarter) and others at the end of the bench. Dallas wins without forcing Chicago (127-92).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– “ End of series” for Luka. Getting back on track after the All-Star cut, Luka Doncic simply established a new NBA record with six triple-doubles in a row over 30 points and he could well have maintained his streak last night in Chicago, if it's just that the Bulls were so bad that Jason Kidd saved him. In the end, he finished with 27 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds. And above all a 3rd victory in a row for Dallas!
– Gafford and Lively have fun. 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, 9/9 on shots for the first. 22 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, 11/12 on shots for the second. Daniel Gafford and Derek Lively II are exceptionally effective! Landed before the transfer deadline, Gafford is even at 28 successful shots in a row, only 7 more shots from breaking Wilt Chamberlain's record (35 in February 1967). The two Texan pivots became the first pair since Nate Robinson and Wilson Chandler with the Knicks in November 2008 to score 20 points each on more than 95% shooting success!
– Bulls fall on homecoming. After their rather successful 'road trip' on the West Coast, with three victories in four games, the Bulls took to the water from the outset against another big team from the West in Dallas. Concealing 60 points in the paint, while allowing the Mavs shooters to send from afar, the Bulls defense was caught off guard throughout the evening, for a second defeat in a row.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
