Dallas Mavericks vs Chicago Bulls Prediction: A must-win game for the Mavs

The NBA Postseason which consists of both the Play-in tournament and Playoffs is going to begin in a few days, not even a week remains at this point. There are both detractors and supporters of the Play-in situation but one thing is for sure, it opens up avenues for the lower-ranked teams to nab a spot in the First Round of the Playoffs. Two such teams, the Dallas Mavericks, and Chicago Bulls are going to meet here. 

The Mavs enter the fray after defeating the Kings 123:119 on the back of a 31 points outburst by Kyrie Irving. This win broke a three-game losing streak but in an extended window, Dallas has seven losses in eight games while having 16 losses and seven wins since the second week of February because of which they have slipped to the Play-in situation and are hanging by a thread even there. They need to perhaps win all their remaining games but even then, the Thunder looks likely to advance. Let us see how the Irving and Doncic fare in the upcoming window.

The Bulls come into the affair after losing 92:105 against the Bucks despite a 21 points and 11 rebounds outing by Center Nikola Vucevic. The Bulls have four losses in the last six games which have undermined a window where they had won seven of their nine games. Currently, they have 42 losses and 38 wins. Despite the current lean window, they have locked in the tenth spot for the Play-in tournament. They are in danger of getting knocked out of the elimination game versus the likely ninth-place finishers Toronto Raptors. Can LaVine and DeRozan extend their season during the Play-in tournament?

• Mavericks: PROBABLE: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic;
• Bulls: OUT: Lonzo Ball, Justin Lewis. QUESTIONABLE: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso.

The Bulls have been playing decently during the latter parts of the season but it isn’t like they are really world-beaters. They can afford to rest LaVine and DeRozan before the Play-in tournament because their fate for the tenth spot is pretty much sealed and wins and losses make no difference anymore. In contrast, the Mavs are much more desperate and I expect it to translate into a win. I predict a scoreline of 125:113 in favor of the Mavs.