J.J. Barea

Mavericks hang on to beat Bulls

Published Dec. 26, 2015 11:36 p.m. ET

foxsports

DALLAS (AP) -- J.J. Barea made a career-high seven 3-pointers and finished with 26 points coming off his first 30-point game, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Chicago Bulls 118-111 Saturday night.

Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 25 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, but had a key turnover before getting called for a 5-second violation when Chicago had a chance to tie in the final 11 seconds.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 points in his first home game since passing Shaquille O'Neal on the career scoring list, and Zaza Pachulia had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Barea was 7 for 8 from beyond the arc.

Nikola Mirotic had 23 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for the Bulls, who were trying for back-to-back wins a night after winning at Oklahoma City. The Mavericks had a mini two-day Christmas break.

The start of the game was delayed about 30 minutes because of reported tornadoes in the Dallas area.

Raymond Felton broke a late tie with two free throws after a strong drive to the basket, and then tipped a pass from Rose that Nowitzki grabbed and threw ahead to Chandler Parsons. After stopping at the basket, Parsons handed off to Wesley Matthews for a layup and a 112-108 lead.

After Rose missed a runner, Felton made two more free throws for a 114-108 Dallas lead with 38 seconds left.

Jimmy Butler hit a 3-pointer that bounced around the rim, and the Bulls got another chance after a Dallas miss. But with Felton defending him, Rose couldn't get the ball in. Dallas clinched the victory with free throws.

Chicago's Pau Gasol had 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, and Butler scored 17 points with a game-high eight assists.

Nowitzki got a standing ovation early in the first quarter after a video tribute for him passing O'Neal for No. 6 on the NBA's scoring list in the Mavericks' last game at Brooklyn.

The 37-year-old German promptly hit a fadeaway jumper coming out of the timeout, and had 10 points in the first half. Barea was 5 of 5 from long range before halftime to lead Dallas with 15 points.

Barea set a career high in 3-pointers with his sixth on the first basket of third quarter, putting Dallas ahead 62-60. He had five 3s nine previous times in his career, including when he scored a career-best 32 points in an overtime win at Brooklyn on Wednesday.

Barea finally made his first two-pointer on a driving layup with 3.9 seconds left in the third for a 90-89 lead.

Dallas left Taj Gibson alone at the other end, and Devin Harris scrambled back to foul him while preventing a dunk with 0.4 seconds to go. Gibson missed both free throws, so the Mavericks kept the lead going to the fourth.

TIP-INS

Bulls: F Joakim Noah missed his second straight game with a left shoulder sprain. He got hurt Monday against Brooklyn and is expected to miss at least another week. ... Chicago fell to 9-4 against the West. The Bulls have two wins over the Thunder and one over San Antonio.

Mavericks: PG Deron Williams missed his second straight game with a left hamstring strain. Coach Rick Carlisle wouldn't put a timetable on his return. ... Harris returned after missing three games with a right hamstring injury. ... Parsons had 20 points and five assists.

UP NEXT

Bulls: Host Toronto on Monday.

Mavericks: Host Milwaukee on Monday.

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