5 TAKEAWAYS FROM 117-107 LOSS TO BULLS

The Dallas Mavericks had their three-game winning streak snapped Wednesday in a 117-107 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

But the Mavs discovered a few things about themselves, including the fact that forward Kristaps Porzingis appears to be back on track after recently missing five games due to lower back tightness. Porzingis registered his second double-double of the season with 22 points and a game-high 12 boards against the Bulls.

Here are our takeaways from Wednesday’s game.

BULLS SHOT THE LIGHTS OUT: It’s difficult to win games when the opponent shoots 50.6 percent from the field (45 of 89) and 48.4 percent from three-point range (15 of 31). That’s what the Bulls did as the basketball made some regular visits through the net whenever they shot it. While the Mavs converted 45.8 percent of their attempts from the floor (38 of 83) and 36.4 percent of their three-point tries (12 of 33), that wasn’t nearly enough to keep up with the Bulls.

BALL WAS BALLING: Whatever Lonzo Ball did over the summer to improve his three-point shooting, he needs to write a book about it. Ball was 5 of 6 from the three-point stripe on Wednesday – IN THE FIRST HALF. He finished the game with seven threes in 10 attempts and also collected 21 points, six rebounds and six assists. Ball entered this season as a career 35.3 percent shooter from downtown. This season he’s shooting a healthy 44.7 percent from three.

PORZINGIS BACK TO FORM: Kristaps Porzingis appears to be totally back and in his zone. In his third game since returning from lower back tightness, the 7-3 forward had a team high 22 points and a game high 12 rebounds against the Bulls. He also was 9 of 16 from the field and 2 of 3 from downtown. And it all came in Porzingis’ most extensive playing time of the season as he played 32 minutes. That’s a welcoming sign for the Mavs going forward.

HARDAWAY UP TO THE CHALLENGE: After scoring 17 points and knocking down 4 of 5 shots from three-point range during Monday’s 108-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Tim Hardaway Jr. followed that up by scoring 21 points and burying 5 of 9 baskets from beyond the 3-point arc against the Bulls. Overall, Hardaway was 7 of 15 from the floor and also contributed three rebounds and two assists while showing why he is a key cog in the Mavs’ offensive scheme.

BULLS ARE PRETTY GOOD: Now, everyone knows what all the fuss is about concerning the Bulls. On a night when one of their best players – DeMar DeRozan – turned in a sub-oar performance, the Bulls still won by 10 points. That’s mainly because the Bulls have a slew of players who can carry their team on any given night, including Zach LaVine, who finished with a game-high 23 points on 8 of 12 shots. Also, Alex Caruso came off the bench to provide 16 points on 6 of 7 shots—and six steals —  in just 23 minutes.

Twitter: @DwainPrice

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