5*
(NBA) Chicago vs. Dallas, 01/17/2021 3:00 PM, Score: 117 - 101
Point Spread: 7.00 | -110.00 Chicago (Away)
Result: Win
The problem with the Bulls in their four-game losing streak has been their inability to close out games. They've been getting a balanced attack and very competitive until the final minutes. They haven’t lost by more than four points in that stretch, and they’ve faced some tough competition, including consecutive meetings with the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. Even in those games, LaVine and company showed the offensive fight to at least put themselves in a position to win. The Mavericks have played like one of the top defensive teams in the league, but I also watched LaVine drop 38 points on a Lakers team that ranks No. 1 in defensive efficiency. He then went on to drop 45 more points on the Clippers. The man is having a great season so far. Porzingis might be back, but the Mavericks haven’t quite shaken the injury bug. Tim Hardaway Jr. could potentially be out for this game, along with Josh Richardson and Dorian Finney-Smith. The Bulls will put up a good fight in this one and we'll back the underdog Chicago Bulls on Sunday.