Dirk Punches Our Gut

Losses don't get more excruciating than this.  With the Dallas Mavericks on the ropes, the Bulls appeared destined to extend their winning streak to four.  After letting a Mavericks run tie the game at the end of the third, they came out in the fourth and built a 97-85 lead, which should have meant the victory was secured.  But led by Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas went on a 15-1 run, capped off by a Nowitzki three and beat the Bulls 100-98.

If you're going to lose, let a great player beat you.  Nowitzki is just that, proving so with 15 of his game-high 35 points in the fourth quarter.  At the same time however, the Bulls let themselves down.  Defensive lapses, poor offensive movement down the stretch and missed free throws did the trick.  Jimmy Butler's empty trip to the line resulting in Nowitzki's winner was eerily similar to that of Omer Asik's when the Bulls were eliminated in last year's playoffs.  As long as a team has a once-in-a-lifetime player on its side, no lead is safe and you must do all you can to protect it.  The Bulls suddenly looked out of sorts once Dallas started scoring points and they just couldn't get things back together.

Wasted were fine performances by Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Nate Robinson, all of whom scored 25 points.  Robinson in particular was amazing, going 7-for-7 from three-point territory.  Deng was 4-for-7 from that distance and was able to get easy, open looks frequently.  Boozer found his way close to the basket and his 11 field goals were bested only by Nowitzki's 14.  These descriptions should translate into wins in most games, but not today.  Had the Bulls shot better than 55.6 percent from the free-throw line, we'd be praising the aforementioned performances even more.  But Deng leaving Nowitzki open at the worst possible time put a damper on his afternoon particularly.

The Bulls remain the only team in the league not to have a four-game winning or losing streak this season.  That probably means little seeing as they've already clinched a playoff spot.  Still, this game proved that momentum can be fleeting in the NBA.  One day, you're celebrating the fact you're responsible for ending a long winning streak.  Next, you learn that any superstar can beat you regardless of what jersey he's wearing.  Sure, the Mavericks are in a different conference, but if you have them where you want them, you need to keep them there.  They may not make the postseason this year, but they still have a future Hall of Famer.  As long as he's with them, nothing is a gimme for the opposition.

With a little over 24 hours to lick their wounds, the Bulls will head back to Chicago and play the Detroit Pistons tomorrow night.  They can't let what could have been impact them.  It's time to remind the Pistons just who they are, which is a terrible team with little upside at the moment.  And in case I don't get a chance to recap the game, Happy Easter to all.