Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA – Photo by Icon sport
Dallas Mavericks vs Chicago Bulls: Can someone stop Luka Doncic?
The Dallas Mavericks are visiting the Chicago Bulls on Monday at United Center.
Luka Doncic is phenomenal
The Dallas Mavericks are eighth in the Western Conference with a 36-28 record. After losing three consecutive games, the Mavs won the last two against Miami and Detroit. Luka Doncic has been phenomenal lately becoming the first player in NBA history to record six consecutive 30+ point triple-doubles. The Slovenian is one of the front runners in the MVP race, leading the league in scoring with 34.7 points per game, and he also adds 9.8 assists and 9 rebounds per game. Dallas is sixth in the league, scoring 119 points per game, and is ranked third with 14.9 three-pointers made per game.
The Bulls are still in the playoff conversation
The Chicago Bulls are ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 31-33 record. The Bulls are coming off a 112-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that ended their three-game winning streak. The Bulls are second in the league, committing only 12.1 turnovers per game, and are ranked ninth, shooting 79.5% from the free throw line. DeMar DeRozan leads the team with 23.2 points per game.
Betting Trends
The Bulls are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games against the Mavericks. Chicago is 2-5 ATS in the last 7 home games. Dallas is 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games overall.
Prediction and Conclusion
Both teams are in the play-in tournament zone and need to step up in order to keep their chances for the playoffs. The Mavericks are continuing their road trip, and Luka Doncic is creating history on any given night. He has literally been unstoppable in the last couple of weeks, and the Bulls will feel that tonight. Chicago has woken up lately, and things look even more promising after Lonzo Ball has been cleared to practice, and the Bulls point guard may be in the lineup by the end of the season. The Bulls have won the last four home games against the Mavericks, but that is about to change tonight. The Mavs are in excellent form and will win this one by covering the -4.5-point spread.
