The Dallas Mavericks had two starters go down against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 29. Tim Hardaway Jr. strained his hamstring, and Kristaps Porzingis suffered a knee injury. Both players missed three games. That was a massive blow to the Mavs playing without their second and third-leading scorers.
The Chicago Bulls came to Dallas on Monday night. It was the third in a six-game homestand. It wraps up with three difficult matchups against the Nuggets, Lakers, and 76ers. The Mavericks needed a win against the struggling Bulls.
Porzingis remained out, but Hardaway Jr.