Game preview and injury report: Chicago Bulls on the road vs. Dallas Mavericks

The Chicago Bulls (38-42) visit the Dallas Mavericks (38-42) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a disappointing 105-92 road loss against the Bucks on Wednesday. Nikola Vucevic led the way with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, Coby White had 14 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench, and Zach LaVine added 13 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in the setback.

Chicago Bulls (38-42) vs. Dallas Mavericks (38-42)

Friday, April 7 – 8:30 PM ET at American Airlines Center

Chicago Bulls

Points Per Game: 113.2 (21st of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 112.2 (7th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 31 (24th of 30)
Pace: 98.5 (17th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 113.6 (23rd of 30)
Defensive Rating: 112.6 (5th of 30)
Net Rating: +1 (13th of 30)

Dallas Mavericks

Points Per Game: 114.2 (16th of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 113.8 (15th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 35.8 (12th of 30)
Pace: 96.3 (28th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 117 (6th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 116.7 (23rd of 30)
Net Rating: +0.3 (17th of 30)

Contain Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving had 31 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and two steals on 12-of-23 shooting and 6-of-10 from three-point range in Wednesday’s 123-119 home win against the Kings. With the team’s season on the line, Irving put the Mavericks on his back, particularly in the fourth quarter when he scored 19 points.

Irving has 72 points in his last two games, and he’s scored at least 23 points in four straight contests. This is a must-win game for the Mavericks, who need to finish a game ahead of the Thunder to reach the play-in tournament because OKC owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. Look for Irving to go all out against the Bulls, who must contain him to win their 39th game this season.

DeMar DeRozan has to take over the game

DeMar DeRozan struggled against the Bucks, scoring just eight points on 3-of-12 shooting. While the star wingman added six assists, three rebounds, and two steals, it was not the kind of performance the Bulls needed from him. The team won’t beat the Mavericks or go far in the play-in tournament unless he plays like a star and scores between 25 and 30 points.

The Bulls lost back-to-back games against the Hawks, without Trae Young and the Bucks, without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both were winnable games and DeRozan’s play had a lot to do with those setbacks. He had 21 points against the Hawks, but he was just 7-of-17 from the field and 1-of-4 from beyond the arc. DeRozan has to take over the game on Friday.

Noteworthy

The Bulls won the last meeting, 144-115 on December 10. DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points.

Chicago beat Dallas five of the last six times.

The Bulls are 6-4 in the last 10 matchups against the Mavericks.

Projected lineups

Bulls: Vucevic, Caruso, LaVine, DeRozan, Beverley

Mavericks: Powell, Bullock, Hardaway, Doncic, Irving

Injury Report

Bulls: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Alex Caruso (left midfoot soreness) is questionable.

Mavericks: Luka Doncic (left thigh injury recovery) and Kyrie Irving (right foot injury recovery) are probable.