The Dallas Mavericks end their season strong, cruising to a 149-128 win over the Bulls behind one of their most complete offensive performances of the season. Dallas shot a blistering 52.0% from the field and 22-of-49 from three (44.9%), while piling up 35 assists and completely controlling the flow of the game. Ryan Nembhard led the way with a historic 23 assists to go along with 15 points, while John Poulakidas added 28 points on 8-of-16 from three and Moussa Cisse dominated the glass with 20 rebounds.
Multiple Mavericks contributed across the board, as Dallas’ ball movement, shooting, and rebounding advantage proved too much for a Bulls team that never found consistent answers.
Dallas took control of this game almost immediately and never really let Chicago breathe in the first half. The Mavericks got early shot-making from Max Christie and Khris Middleton, then quickly opened things up behind Cooper Flagg’s downhill scoring, Klay Thompson’s threes, and Ryan Nembhard completely steering the offense, as Dallas built a double-digit lead before the Bulls ever found rhythm. Chicago had a few scattered answers through Rob Dillingham and Collin Sexton, but every small push got erased by another Dallas run. What stood out most was how easy the offense looked for Dallas. The Mavericks shot 54.9% from the field and 12-of-25 from three, piled up 22 assists, and got 12 first-half assists from Nembhard alone, which tells you exactly how in control they were offensively. Smith was a huge part of that burst with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while Christie added 12 and Thompson chipped in 12 of his own to keep stretching the floor. Chicago never fully collapsed, but they also never made Dallas uncomfortable for long, and by halftime the Mavericks had turned a fast start into a commanding 80-56 lead.
The second half never really had a pulse, with Dallas immediately killing any chance of a comeback and just trading buckets the rest of the way. Chicago had a few moments from Dillingham and Sexton, but every mini run got answered right away by Dallas ball movement and easy looks, especially with Nembhard continuing to rack up assists. The lead hovered comfortably in the 20–30 range for most of the half, and by the fourth quarter it fully turned into extended garbage time with both teams just going through the motions. By the end, it felt like everyone was just waiting for the clock to hit zero in a game that had been decided long before halftime ended.
80: First half Maverick points
The game was essentially decided in the first 24 minutes, and it was because of how overwhelming Dallas was offensively. Dropping 80 points in a half is not normal, and the way they got there is what made it stand out. This wasn’t just hot shooting. It was a combination of ball movement, spacing, pace, and decision-making all coming together at once. The Mavericks consistently generated high-quality looks, whether it was open threes, cuts to the rim, or second-chance opportunities, and Chicago never had an answer.
What really defined the half was how connected everything felt. The assist numbers were off the charts, the pace never slowed down, and players were making quick, confident decisions. That’s something this team has struggled with all season, which is why it stood out so much here. For one half, a half that needed to be awful, the offense actually looked like it had structure and purpose. It did come against a weak opponent, the players the Bulls had out there coud not stop a fly.
23: Nembhard assists
Ryan Nembhard had the game of his season, finishing with 23 assists, he set the Mavericks rookie record for assists in a single game, and it felt like he was behind every single good possession Dallas had. What made it so impressive was the variety. He wasn’t just making simple reads. He was manipulating the defense, hitting shooters in rhythm, finding cutters at the perfect time, and pushing the pace whenever Chicago hesitated. This wasn’t a passive playmaking performance. It was aggressive, intentional, and completely in command.
His impact on the game was massive. The 80-point first half doesn’t happen without him orchestrating everything. Every run Dallas had, every stretch where the offense looked unstoppable, it traced back to Nembhard making the right decision. For a rookie to show that level of control in an NBA game is rare. It also raises real questions about his role moving forward. When a team desperately needs guard play, creation, and stability, a performance like this can’t be ignored. He may not be the long-term answer yet, but he’s absolutely earned a deeper look. Games like this are how players carve out real roles in this league.
8: Poulakidas 3s
John Poulakidas continues to prove that his shooting is not a fluke. Finishing with 28 points and 8-of-16 from three, including a massive 22-point third quarter, he completely changed the feel of the game every time he touched the ball. What stands out is not just the volume, but the confidence and versatility in how he gets his shots. He’s not just spotting up. He’s moving without the ball, relocating, stepping into shots quickly, and making them under pressure. That’s a skill that translates at any level.
Now sitting at 78 made threes, this is no longer a small sample. This is a legitimate trend. For a team like Dallas that has struggled with consistent perimeter shooting all season, this kind of production jumps off the page. More importantly, it fits perfectly next to a player like Cooper Flagg, who needs spacing and reliable shooters around him to maximize his playmaking. Poulakidas doesn’t need the ball to be effective, which makes him even more valuable. At the very least, he has earned a real opportunity moving forward. Whether that’s Summer League, training camp, or a deeper look in rotation minutes, this is the type of player teams take chances on. Shooting like this forces attention.
20: Cisse rebounds
Moussa Cisse also had has defnining game of the season, even if it didn’t come with flashy scoring. Pulling down 20 rebounds, he completely controlled the glass. It wasn’t just the total number. Offensive rebounds that extended possessions, defensive rebounds that ended Chicago’s chances, and constant physicality that wore the Bulls down over time. This is the type of effort that directly impacts winning, especially in a game where Dallas was already clicking offensively.
The Mavericks have been stuck with a group of bigs that are mostly interchangeable and often inconsistent. Cisse is continuing to keep his name in the mix with pure effort, rebounding, and defensive presence. He doesn’t need plays called for him to impact the game, which is exactly what this team needs around a high-usage player like Flagg. Performances like this force the front office to take a harder look. If you’re deciding who stays and who goes, production like this matters.
