Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts while dribbling during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Luka Doncic had 27 points and 13 assists to lead the host Dallas Mavericks past the cold-shooting Chicago Bulls 119-99 in the NBA on Wednesday night.
The Mavericks feasted on poor Chicago transition defense, scoring 21 fastbreak points, and led by as much as 30.
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The Bulls, playing without All-Star Zach LaVine (adductor strain), shot just 41.9 percent from the floor and were 12-of-42 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range.
Chicago has lost three straight.
READ: NBA: Luka Doncic, Mavericks overwhelm Paolo Banchero-less Magic
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The first half was marked by a series of runs. It was the Bulls who started first, racing out to a 7-3 lead after a spin move and basket by Nikola Vucevic in the lane. Vucevic finished with a team-high 14 points in 25 minutes.
But the rest of the first quarter was dominated by the Mavs, specifically Kyrie Irving. The Mavs went on a game-changing 17-0 run and made eight straight shots during the quarter. Irving had 15 of his 17 points in the first as Dallas led 32-24 after 12 minutes.
Chicago went on a run in the second quarter with Josh Giddey making a 3-point to help pull the Bulls to 43-37 with six minutes left, but that was as close as they would come. Doncic sparked a 10-2 Dallas run with four free throws and a short jumper to push the lead back up to double digits. Dallas held a 56-45 lead at halftime.
READ: NBA: It takes time to win, a lesson Luka Doncic is dealing with
Dallas went on a 13-0 run to open the second half, capped by a three by Klay Thompson to make it 69-45 with 8:46 left in the third. Thompson finished with 13 points and was 3-for-7 from beyond the arc.
Doncic went to the bench for good with 7:24 left and the Mavericks up 97-74.
The Mavericks played without center Dereck Lively for a second straight contest. He injured his shoulder in warmups before Monday’s against Indiana. Forward P.J. Washington missed Wednesday’s contest with a knee sprain.
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Dallas lost another big man when Daniel Gafford took a knee to the thigh from Vucevic in the second quarter. He did not return. –Field Level Media