The Mavericks have sprinted to 13-5 by turning NBA games into ballets. But in order to win tonight they’ll have to win a brawl.
Yep, hello Chicago Bulls.
While the Mavs are a finesse, fast-paced team with the league’s best offense, the Bulls are among the NBA’s toughest bunch of defenders. The Bulls bump cutters, trap the pick-and-roll, clutch, grab and do anything to disrupt offensive rhythm.
And, oh yeah, they also pound the boards.
Bolstered by a physical, tall front line of Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Nicola Mirotic, the Bulls are 11-6 and a Top 10 defensive rebounding team. Only the Heat and Sixers have a worse rebounding percentage than the Mavs and in their last two games – both wins – they’ve been outrebounded by 33.
The Mavs average 109 points per game. The Bulls allow only 98.
For a team that wins with scoring, tonight Dallas will be forced to use its strength.
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A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
