PREVIEW

Mavericks (2-3) at Chicago Bulls (2-4)

Time: 7 p.m., Sunday

Place: United Center, Chicago

TV: FSSW

Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)

About the Mavericks: For the Mavs, this is the opener of a three-game road trip and it’s also the first time this season they’ll play games on back-to-back nights. After facing the Bulls tonight the Mavs will square off against the Rockets in Houston on Monday night. The last game of the road trip is Thursday night in Denver in a nationally televised TNT game before the Mavs return home to entertain the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Center on Saturday. . .The Mavs are 41-37 all-time against the Bulls, including an 18-21 record during games played in Chicago. . .The Mavs are 8-5 in their last 13 matchups with the Bulls, and 12 of those games have been decided by nine points or less. . .Behind 27 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists from Luka Doncic, the Mavs ran out to a 24-point lead in the third quarter before settling for a 93-83 triumph over the Miami Heat on Friday night. . .Doncic averages 24.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 6.4 apg, Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 18 points in the win over Miami and is averaging 15.2 ppg and shooting 37.8 percent from 3-point land, and Josh Richardson averages 13 ppg. . .In a 118-110 win over the Bulls  Jan. 6 in Dallas, Doncic completely dominated the action as he finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. But he won’t play in this game because of a left quad contusion.

About the Bulls: Chicago was blown out at Milwaukee by the Bucks, 126-96, last Friday. The Bulls also opened the season with a 20-point loss at home to Atlanta (124-104), and followed that with a 19-point loss at home to Indiana (125-106), and a one-point loss at home to Golden State (129-128). . .Chicago’s only two wins of the season have come in consecutive road games against the Washington Wizards last Tuesday (115-107) and Thursday (133-130). . .In Thursday’s win over the Wizards, the Bulls distributed 34 assists. That’s the most assists they’ve had in one game since they collected 34 assists against Cleveland on Dec. 21, 2017. . .Over the last three games Chicago has outscored its opponents in the paint by a sizeable 144-104 margin, and also have outrebounded them during that span, 135-125. . .The Bulls are led by Zach LaVine (22.2 ppg), Lauri Markkanen (17.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Otto Porter Jr. (14.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Coby White (14.5 ppg, 5.7 apg) . .Bulls coach Billy Donovan said forward Chandler Hutchison has tested positive for the coronavirus. Three other Bulls players – Ryan Arcidiacono and Tomas Satoransky and Markkanen – missed the game in Milwaukee because they were under the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Twitter: @DwainPrice

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