Trending Teams Meet As Bulls Visit Mavs
The Chicago Bulls enter Friday’s game in Dallas as one of the NBA’s form sides.
Two of the NBA’s form sides meet Friday as the Chicago Bulls visit the Dallas Mavericks in an interconference matchup.
Tip-off at American Airlines Center is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Chicago (31-26, 14-16 road) enters the game having won seven of its last eight, and four of its last five on the road.
The Bulls are 19-8 since January 1, a record that sits with the Indiana Pacers (19-8) and Miami Heat (17-7) as the best in the Eastern Conference during that period.
This purple patch has seen Tom Thibodeau’s side climb into the upper half of the playoff bracket, and move to within one-half game of the Toronto Raptors in third place.
Defense has played a huge part in the Bulls’ rise this calendar year.  During 27 games, Chicago has allowed 100 or more points just six times, posting a 3-3 record when doing so. The remaining 21 games have been tough on opponents.
With stellar play from the likes of Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson, Chicago has picked up some marquee wins over the last two months, defeating the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns (twice), the Raptors, and this past Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors. Not one of those teams managed to muster more than 92 points, with the high-scoring Warriors being limited to just 83 on Wednesday.
The Bulls offense, which is the lowest scoring in the league, has also proven efficient of late, topping the 100-point mark in five of the team’s last 10. Without their star player and with a patched-together roster, the Bulls are all of a sudden looking like a threat in the Eastern Conference.
And all of this after Carlos Boozer incited locked room unrest earlier this month.
News reports have emerged this week that that Bulls may be interested in signing Jimmer Fredette to bolster the backcourt. Fredette was bought out of his contract by the Sacramento Kings earlier this week.
Even without any roster moves, the Bulls are proving to be a nightmare for much of the league. Thibodeau will hope this remains true when the team takes to the floor in Texas on Friday.
Vince Carter has helped set the Dallas Mavericks on the winning track.
Dallas (36-23, 19-9 home) won’t be put off by the arrival of the Bulls in the Metroplex.
Wins in 10 of the last 12 and four of the last five at American Airlines Center have the Mavericks enjoying a purple patch of their own, and heading in the right direction as the playoffs begin to loom.
With almost an entirely new roster this season, it took Rick Carlisle’s side some time to gel, but the Mavericks have emerged as a playoff contender in the west.
Dirk Nowitzki is having a bounce back season after a disappointing campaign a year ago. Monta Ellis and Jose Calderon have proven worthwhile assets while Shawn Marion and Vince Carter – a genuine candidate for Sixth Man of the Year – have brought veteran leadership and talent to the table.
The Mavericks currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference, embroiled in an ongoing battle with the Suns and Warriors, and now the Memphis Grizzlies, for the lower seeded berths. If the team continues to play as it has of late, it’ll be another team that’s left disappointed at the end of the season.
Dallas has a pair of reasons to be confident heading into Friday’s showdown with Chicago.
Firstly, the Mavericks earned a convincing 105-83 victory when the two sides met at the United Center on December 28. Ellis and Nowitzki combined for 40 points that night while Carter added 18 off the bench. Noah had a double-double for the Bulls, with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Gibson and Boozer each tallied 13.
Secondly, Dallas is 8-0 against Central Division opponents this season, including 3-0 at home. Can Chicago break that trend Friday.
Chicago Bulls vs. Dallas Mavericks odds for 02/28/2014
Playing at home, Dallas opens as the favorite over Chicago.
The Mavericks have gone 18-7 in the last 25 head-to-head meetings, but just 5-5 in the last 10. Home court advantage could be the deciding factor though; the Mavericks have won 13 of the last 15 the sides have played at American Airlines Center.
The spread opened at 4.5.
Dallas (32-26-1 ATS) has covered the spread in seven of its last 11. Chicago (29-28-0 ATS) has covered in seven of the last eight.
Dallas has recorded a 12-15-1 ATS record at home while Chicago is 15-15-0 ATS on the road.
The Mavericks are 18-7-0 ATS in their last 25 head-to-head meetings with the Bulls, but Chicago has had more success recently, covering in eight of the last 10.
The total opened at 191.
Chicago (23-34-0) has favored the under this season while Dallas (32-27-0) has favored the over.
Both teams have seen the total go over in 10 of their last 15 games, which makes the over a smart bet. Need further proof? The total has gone over in four of the last six games the two sides have played in Dallas.
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