Mavericks 149, Bulls 128: Dallas rolls behind balanced attack

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Chicago Bulls 149-128 on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at American Airlines Center, with John Poulakidas leading all scorers with 28 points in a high-efficiency team performance. Dallas took control early, moved the ball consistently, and built enough separation through three quarters to stay in front despite a 40-point Chicago fourth.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Dallas came out with pace and shot-making, putting up 45 points in the opening quarter while outscoring Chicago 45-34. The Mavericks were sharp from the perimeter and generated quality looks in transition and in the half court, setting the tone for the rest of the night.

Second Quarter

The game tilted further toward the home side in the second. Dallas held Chicago to 22 points and added 35 more of its own, taking an 80-56 lead into halftime. That 24-point cushion reflected how well the Mavericks combined shooting efficiency with rebounding control and playmaking.

Third Quarter

Chicago found more offensive rhythm after the break, but Dallas kept matching it. The Mavericks posted 39 points in the third quarter while the Bulls scored 32, pushing the lead to 119-88 entering the fourth. At that stage, Dallas had already crossed the 100-point mark with one quarter still to play.

Fourth Quarter

The Bulls closed with a 40-point fourth quarter, their best offensive period of the game, but the gap was too large to seriously threaten the outcome. Dallas added 30 in the final frame and comfortably finished off a 21-point win.

Key Performers

Dallas Mavericks
John Poulakidas led Dallas with 28 points, helping headline a balanced scoring night in which the Mavericks reached 149 points on 52.0% shooting and 44.9% from three-point range. Ryan Nembhard delivered one of the most notable all-around lines of the game with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 23 assists, consistently organizing the offense and creating open shots. Moussa Cisse added major interior production with 20 rebounds as Dallas finished with a 57-42 edge on the glass.

Chicago Bulls
Rob Dillingham paced the Bulls with 25 points. Lachlan Olbrich turned in a strong all-around effort with 10 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, recording a triple-double in the loss. Chicago still reached 128 points and shot 49.1% from the field, but its 26.3% mark from three-point range made it difficult to keep up with Dallas’ perimeter efficiency.

NerdSports Stat: Dallas scored 119 points through three quarters and still finished with 35 assists, meaning the Mavericks averaged nearly one assist for every 4.3 points in a 149-point game.

Game Analysis

This game was decided by Dallas’ combination of volume and efficiency. The Mavericks made 52 field goals, hit 22 three-pointers, and assisted on 35 baskets. That level of ball movement gave them a steady advantage throughout the first three quarters.

The three-point gap stood out. Dallas went 22-for-49 from deep, while Chicago finished 10-for-38. That difference alone accounted for a 36-point swing from beyond the arc, which helped offset the Bulls matching the Mavericks with 52 made field goals overall.

Rebounding also mattered. Dallas collected 57 rebounds to Chicago’s 42, creating extra possessions and limiting the Bulls’ margin for error. Cisse’s 20-board effort was a major part of that team edge.

Chicago’s offense had productive stretches, especially in the first and fourth quarters, and 30 team assists showed that the Bulls still moved the ball effectively. But the defensive issues in the first half were too much to overcome after allowing 80 points before intermission.

Closing Context

With the win, Dallas finished the season at 26-56, while Chicago closed at 31-51. Even with both teams outside the postseason picture, this result gave the Mavericks a strong offensive finish at home and highlighted promising individual performances from Poulakidas, Nembhard, and Cisse heading into the offseason. For the Bulls, the final game offered another productive night from Dillingham and a notable triple-double from Olbrich despite the road loss.

Frequently Asked Questions