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Thursday, Dec. 2 8:30pm ET
Miserable Mavs add to Bulls' woes | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
CHICAGO (AP) -- When Michael Finley takes the floor at the United Center, he need only to look up for inspiration. "You see those six banners up there it also motivates you," Finley said. "It's good to come back not only because I'm going against the Bulls, but because it gives my family and friends a chance to see me up close and personal." The Chicago area native scored 30 points as the undermanned Dallas Mavericks continued the Chicago Bulls' misery, beating them 101-95 Thursday night. Chicago (1-13) has now lost eight straight games. "Any road win is a great game for us," said Mavericks coach Don Nelson. "We've obviously been struggling all year. We played a superb ballgame for most of the time tonight." The Mavericks also got a boost from Damon Jones whom they signed just prior to tipoff. Jones scored 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting off the bench. They needed the help, as only eight Mavericks saw action due to injuries. "It's always good to beat the Bulls no matter who's on their roster," Finley said. "Growing up here, the Bulls have always been one of my favorite teams. To come back and beat them here was great." Finley, who played 47 minutes, was 12-of-21 from the field and collected a team-high nine rebounds. He was hot from the start, hitting 5-of-7 shots as he helped stake the Mavericks to a 32-21 lead after one quarter. Dallas shot a blazing 65 percent in the first quarter compared to Chicago's 44 percent. Shawn Bradley intimidated the Bulls early, blocking three shots in the first period. He had six blocks total. Dirk Nowitzki added 18 for the Mavericks. Chicago was anemic from the floor in the second quarter as Dallas extended its lead. After Ron Artest scored to open the quarter, the Bulls failed to score on their next nine possessions. Dallas took advantage, widening the gap to 40-23 on inside baskets from Finley and Cedric Ceballos.Even without Bradley for much of the second quarter, Dallas was able to keep the timid Bulls out of the middle. The Bulls' front line of Elton Brand, Kornel David and Dickey Simpkins combined for 2-of-12 shooting before the half. "We were real discouraged with how we came out in the first half," said Bulls coach Tim Floyd. "We did nothing to disrupt their shooters and they had their way with us." Jones, who was released by Golden State on Monday, came off the bench to score six points on two 3-pointers midway through the second quarter to put Dallas up 53-33. The Mavericks, after outshooting the Bulls 54 percent to 37 percent, led 55-37 at halftime. Dallas maintained its advantage throughout the third and much of the fourth quarter until Brand led the Bulls back, cutting the lead to 92-87 with fewer than three minutes left. But Finley came away with two critical offensive rebounds down the stretch and Nowitzki's 3-pointer sealed the game for Dallas. "Given the situation as far as injuries, we played well," Finley said. "But we almost let it get away in the fourth quarter." Artest led Chicago with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Brand added 14. Game notesJones averaged 5.2 points in 13 games for Golden State. His five 3-pointers in Saturday's game vs. Utah set a franchise record. Chris Anstey's 15 rebounds were a career high. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Dallas Clubhouse Chicago Clubhouse RECAPS Atlanta 110 Sacramento 100
Dallas 101
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