What Was At Stake In Dallas Mavericks-Chicago Bulls Regular-Season Finale?
The Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls didn’t have much to play for in Sunday’s regular-season finale, but there were some things at stake. The Mavericks vs. Bulls matchup was dubbed a tank fest. Both teams were eliminated from NBA playoff contention, with more of an incentive to lose than to win, but some things were worth keeping an eye on.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Chicago Bulls Injury Report
Throughout the regular season, injuries have impacted the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls. The injury reports for the Mavericks and Bulls’ regular-season finale were no different.
The finale wasn’t just a tank fest but also a disastrous end to the regular season. Especially for the Mavs, who entered the season with high expectations. In contrast, the Bulls entered the campaign with mixed expectations, mainly due to a rather quiet offseason that had many individuals questioning the Bulls’ ambition, direction, etc.
There were a whopping 20 players on the Mavs and Bulls’ respective injury reports entering Sunday’s game. Dallas ruled out Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), PJ Washington (left elbow strain), Naji Marshall (left hip contusion), Daniel Gafford (right shoulder stinger), Caleb Martin (right plantar fascia strain), and Brandon Williams (illness).
Dallas listed six players, including Marvin Bagley III (left shoulder impingement), as questionable. Previously, Bagley III was questionable for Friday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, but left the game and didn’t return.
The Bulls ruled out Matas Buzelis (right ankle sprain), Zach Collins (right first toe surgery), Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery), Josh Giddey (left hamstring injury management), Isaac Okoro (left quadricep contusion), Nick Richards (right elbow sprain), Anfernee Simons (left ulnar styloid fracture), Jalen Smith (right calf strain), and Guerschon Yabusele (left shoulder sprain/left elbow sprain).
The Bulls listed Collin Sexton (left elbow contusion), Lachlan Olbrich (bilateral plantar fascia), and Patrick Williams (left thumb sprain) as probable to play. Dallas appears to be evaluating their young players, while the Bulls seem to strive for a rebuild. Either way, the two teams come off as wanting to avoid injuries for key players.
Cooper Flagg’s Case For NBA Rookie Of the Year
Cooper Flagg’s case for the NBA Rookie of the Year award has been a hot topic, even before the start of the regular season. Flagg has been the favorite to win the award, but the NBA world has seen him try to cement his claim in recent weeks. On Sunday, he suffered a left ankle sprain and didn’t return to the regular season finale. It was an unfortunate end to his historic rookie season, but the Mavericks ultimately blew out the Bulls 149-128 at the American Airlines Center.
Flagg’s stellar performances of 32-9-4 vs. the Golden State Warriors, 51-6-3-3 vs. the Orlando Magic, 45-9-8 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, and 33-6-5 at the San Antonio Spurs have lowered the margin between him and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel. The Hornets beat the New York Knicks 110-96 for the ninth seed of the Eastern Conference.
Anything can happen, but the debate between Flagg and Knueppel has been intense. Knueppel’s stellar shooting, including leading the NBA in three-pointers, has helped the Hornets achieve postseason success. Flagg’s strong scoring and playmaking have shifted the odds in his favor, but the Mavericks’ struggles overshadow his rookie season success.
Mavericks’ NBA Draft Lottery Odds
The Mavericks entered Sunday’s regular-season finale tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the sixth-worst record in the NBA. That being said, a tiebreaker in the NBA Draft lottery is determined by a coin flip. The Mavs secured a win, and the Grizzlies failed to pull off an upset.
There was a potential three-way tie between the Mavericks, Grizzlies, and New Orleans Pelicans, but the Pelicans lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 132-126 on Sunday.
