Bulls vs. Mavericks: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions
The Chicago Bulls (26-10) play against the Dallas Mavericks (18-18) at American Airlines Center
Game Time: 7:30 PM EST on Sunday January 9, 2022
Chicago Bulls 2, Dallas Mavericks 10 (Q1 09:10)
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Mavericks off to a rather awesome start, up 10-2 less than three minutes into the game against Chicago. Luka with 3 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists already. – 7:45 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
It’s Week 18 (that’s weird) and there’s a huge game left, but there are some really good NBA games tonight!
Bulls at Mavs
Cavs at Warriors and Klay back!
Grizzlies at Lakers – 7:44 PM
Sean Cunningham @SeanCunningham
49ers will meet the Cowboys in the playoffs next week in Dallas, while the Rams host the Cardinals. It’s crazy out west in the NFL – 7:40 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Bulls radio @Chicago Bulls @670TheScore @Chicago Bulls is rolling @Audacy pic.twitter.com/3u3OyRKvy7 – 7:31 PM
Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
👀🔴 – 7:30 PM
Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Keep working, @Patrick Williams 💪 pic.twitter.com/QdlWQ8C3SR – 7:28 PM
Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
DeMar’s choice of Kobe’s for tonight: pic.twitter.com/D9RpbqdkcT – 7:20 PM
Mark Followill @MFollowill
Mavs vs Bulls is coming up on BSSW. Mavs Live has started and tipoff is at 640. Dallas is on a season long 5-game win streak with the league’s best defensive rating in that stretch. The Bulls have won 9 in a row, a time in which they have the league’s top offensive rating. – 7:15 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs starters: DFS, Kleber, Powell, Brunson, Doncic
CHI starters: Jones, DeRozan, Vucevic, LaVine, Ball
6:40 tip @theeagledallas – 7:09 PM
Dallas Mavericks @dallasmavs
First five on the floor tonight.
@ModeloUSA | #FightingSpirit pic.twitter.com/bGo4h8NtsU – 7:06 PM
Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Tonight’s starters in Dallas!
@FirstAlert | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/rcFoPrbYvQ – 7:00 PM
Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Patrick Williams appreciation post. pic.twitter.com/TGhRbbGwO4 – 6:49 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Updated: Bulls-Mavs preview. Luka now cleared to play.
mavs.com/luka-a-go/ – 6:41 PM
Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Read it again. Coby 💪 pic.twitter.com/dXRi8z6ehk – 6:39 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Patrick Williams’ left-wrist cast is off, replaced by a removable brace. Billy Donovan called the surgery Williams underwent “incredibly detailed,” adding that the focus now is to build back strength and range of motion with left wrist/forearm
(1/2) – 6:23 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Dallas on bum-team alert tonight. Hello 10-game winning streak! – 6:18 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Billy Donovan characterized Dallas as “a very good defensive team.” Been a while since we’ve heard opposing coaches say that about the Mavs. – 6:10 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Billy Donovan coached former Stevenson High star and current Mavs guard Jalen Brunson in USA Basketball U-18 team. Speaking via Zoom from Dallas, Donovan praised Brunson’s toughness, savvy and IQ. – 6:09 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Donovan says Caruso’s numbers are moving in right direction, as far as COVID testing. Might know more tomorrow. #Bulls – 6:02 PM
Mark Followill @MFollowill
Acting head coach Sean Sweeney confirms Luka is available for tonight’s game vs Chicago (630, BSSW). He missed the Houston game on Friday with a sprained right ankle. – 5:58 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka available tonight says acting coach Sean Sweeney. Finney-Smith also available. – 5:53 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Sean Sweeney says Doncic worked out today, Sweeney says he’s not aware of any minutes restriction for Doncic. – 5:51 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Doncic and Finney- Smith are good to go for the Mavs vs Bulls @670TheScore 6:15 – 5:48 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Luka Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith are available for Bulls-Mavericks. Both had been questionable
Kristaps Porzingis is still out in protocols – 5:47 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Per Sweeney: Both Luka and DFS are available tonight vs CHI. 6:40 tip @theeagledallas – 5:47 PM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Luka Doncic (ankle) will play tonight vs. Bulls, per Mavs acting head coach Sean Sweeney. – 5:47 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
With Jason Kidd in protocols, assistant coach Sean Sweeney said pregame via Zoom from Dallas that Mavericks star Luka Doncic is available vs. Bulls. – 5:47 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Doncic is available tonight. – 5:47 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Luka Dončić will return to the Mavericks’ lineup tonight against Chicago after missing Dallas’ last game with a right ankle sprain, acting coach Sean Sweeney says.
More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com – 5:46 PM
Dallas Mavericks PR @MavsPR
Luka Dončić (right ankle sprain) and Dorian Finney-Smith (illness, non-Covid) will be available for tonight’s game against Chicago.
Willie Cauley-Stein (personal reasons) and Kristaps Porzingis (H&S protocols) will remain out. – 5:46 PM
Dallas Mavericks @dallasmavs
Sunday best 👔
@tissot | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/yNmO2h9Pon – 5:39 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
As of latest injury update, Luka Doncic still questionable tonight. So is Dorian Finney-Smith with an illness. Porzingis, Cauley-Stein and Kidd all out. – 5:33 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Bulls at Memphis a week from Monday MLK Day bleacherreport.com/post/memphis-g… – 5:25 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Bulls- Mavs. We’re in Dallas as the Bulls go for their 10th straight win. @670TheScore @Audacy @Chicago Bulls radio network 6:15 pre. pic.twitter.com/DZBxUT1trF – 5:03 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#NBA power rankings: #Bulls keep rising closer to top as #Suns, #Warriors 1-2 with Klay Thompson set to return tonight vs. #Cavaliers (w/videos) #NBA75 https://t.co/QUyS85PYqb via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/X5IrspTR6h – 5:02 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
My first in-person look at the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls is just a couple hours away … with some sneak peeks at Cavs/Warriors for #KlayDay mixed in. Big Sunday in the NBA …
This Week In Basketball around-the-league notes column: marcstein.substack.com/p/trade-season… – 5:00 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
The silhouette of the magnificent @Dirk Nowitzki on the floor here in Dallas. Pretty cool. Dirk just had # 41 retired. What a great, great player who changed the game. pic.twitter.com/hpDRZydEDg – 4:59 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
NFC North has lowkey been as trash as the AFC East the last two decades.
It’s quite remarkable.
Total winning seasons from 2001-21:
Minnesota (9)
New York Jets (8)
Chicago, Miami (7)
Buffalo (6)
Detroit (4)
People like to dump on Cincinnati but the #Bengals have had 8. – 4:53 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
We are live in Dallas for Bulls ball @670TheScore @Audacy @Chicago Bulls radio network 6:15 pre pic.twitter.com/lgOiO16YaG – 4:49 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Bulls going for 10 straight wins tonight in Dallas
Team’s last 10-game win streak spanned 2010-11 and 2011-12 regular seasons (first 9 were final games of 10-11, then 11-12 opener)
Last 10+ game win streak enclosed in one season was in 1998. Won 13 straight between 3/14 and 4/7 – 4:37 PM
Devon Dotson @d_dotson1
NFTs are crazy right now! I did my research and decided to mint myself a @BadBabyDinosNFT
I spoke with the founder and this project looks legit for the long term. Play to earn games, concert venue in the @TheSandboxGame, and more! Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/mGUzHpXHpW – 4:37 PM
Atlanta Hawks PR @HawksPR
Bogdan Bogdanovic (currently 15 points) has reached his highest-scoring half of the season (previously 14 in the second half vs. CHI, 12/27/21). – 4:22 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
The Nets pull to within two games of the Bulls in the East with a two point OT win over the Spurs. Nets in Chicago Wednesday. – 3:24 PM
Dallas Mavericks @dallasmavs
Check out our Top 🖐 Plays of the Week!
@att | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/UXJSBM7FWB – 3:17 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Umm, just letting frustrated Bears fans know there is hope—there is light—there is Bulls basketball tonight -we’re live from Dallas @670TheScore @Audacy @Chicago Bulls radio network. – 3:04 PM
Dallas Mavericks @dallasmavs
Calling all MFFLs ☎️ we are back at @AACenter tonight.
@MichelobULTRA | #ULTRAMoment pic.twitter.com/4D1fEqU7vo – 2:59 PM
Kyle Ratke @Kyle_Ratke
Please Chicago, take this game from us. Give me that higher pick. – 2:51 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
In a Dallas hotel room…they’re showing Packers-Lions..what’s going on with the Bears? Inquiring minds want to know. – 2:36 PM
Mark Giannotto @mgiannotto
Wolo confirms on radio broadcast that DeAndre Williams is out today vs. Cincinnati. Jalen Duren, Landers Nolley, Emoni Bates and Jayden Hardaway are all playing. – 2:35 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Lots of talk about Klay’s return for GS and playing a good CLE team, but the game of the day is Mavs-Bulls, riding respective 5 & 9 game win streaks. Mavs try to end 4 game losing streak to CHI, last 3 by 10+. @Rphillipstexas has pre at 6. Tip w/Brad & me at 6:40 @theeagledallas – 2:32 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Who would have won the MVP award if it could only be given once to players?
Blake Griffin, for example.
And Penny Hardaway.
Tony Parker too.
Plus Scottie Pippen, of course.
Full list 👉 https://t.co/itQdAJNJqw pic.twitter.com/mEkdATbuxO – 2:24 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Hate to call an early-January game a must-win, but this kind of is for Nets here in overtime.
This week’s schedule goes:
Monday – B2B at Portland
Wednesday – at Chicago
Thursday – B2B vs Oklahoma City
Saturday – vs New Orleans
It’s not the teams, minus CHI, but the schedule. – 2:22 PM
David Thorpe @coachthorpe
Luka’s team, and Ja’s, are not going to easily beat Primo and Vassell’s, in a few years. Those guys are going to be a fantastic backcourt. – 2:17 PM
