While it wasn’t a long absence for Reggie Bullock, when he returned Monday after missing four games tending to a personal matter, he wasted no time getting back to business.
The 6-6 forward had his usual spot in the starting lineup waiting for him and he celebrated with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting – all from 3-point range. He also took down seven rebounds.
It was a critical performance that the Mavericks needed every bit of as they nicked the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-108.
For Bullock, it was more than just a key game on the schedule.
“It felt good to be back,” he said. “Obviously, I had a situation I was dealing with personally. But it felt good being back out there fighting with my guys. We knew this was a must-win game for us.
“I’m definitely in a better space now. I’m glad to be back with my guys.”
Bullock is very much a team-first guy, which is one of the requirements of being on this Mavericks’ team.
Starting at the top, with Luka Dončić and his willingness to make the right pass to any teammate when opponents send a strong double-team his way, it’s the bedrock of the Mavericks’ chemistry.
And Bullock said pulling together when things get stressful has become the best asset this team has.
The win over Minnesota was a perfect example. The Mavericks would have fallen into a messy three-way joust with the Wolves and Denver Nuggets for the fifth, sixth and seventh spots in the Western Conference had they lost Monday’s game.
Instead, they are relatively free and clear – for now, at least – from the perils that would come with the play-in tournament among the seventh through 10th teams in the West at the end of the regular season.
“We knew how important last night’s game was for us,” Bullock said. “It’s coming down to the stretch. A lot of teams are taking breaks right now, but it’s up to us to keep our foot on the pedal and keep mashing the gas.
“We’re just trying to collect as many wins as we can to put ourselves in a great position and have one of those top four seeds at the end of the season. That’s our main goal right now. Exciting time.”
Coach Jason Kidd said he wanted to go back to the starting lineup that has Bullock in it because he likes the chemistry that he provides. He’s a standout defender, but also can drain 3-point shots when left open.
Kidd wanted to see how the three-point-guard lineup of Dončić, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jalen Brunson performed together. He found out that’s a useful combination, if needed.
But by starting just Brunson and Luka, it allows Kidd to keep two of those three playmakers on the court at all times.
As for Bullock, he’s been a reliable asset at both ends of the floor, particularly as the season has gone on.
He’s averaged 12.9 points and shot 39 percent from 3-point range since Tim Hardaway Jr.’s foot injury that required surgery and will keep him out beyond the regular season.
Twitter: @ESefko
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