CHICAGO – Not only did the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night at the United Center, 120-119. But in the process
they also moved into the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference standings thanks to the Orlando Magic’s 121-91 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
With the win, the Mavs finished their four-game road trip with an impressive 3-1 record and improved to 37-38 overall, while the Kings dropped to 36-38. The Mavs will now go home for home games Monday against Brooklyn and Wednesday against Atlanta.
Klay Thompson led seven Mavs who scored at least 12 points with 20 points while converting 5-of-10 three-pointers. P.J. Washington contributed 19 points and seven rebounds, Anthony Davis finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks, and Kai Jones added 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
In addition, Spencer Dinwiddie collected 14 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists, Naji Marshall finished with 14 points and seven boards, and Brandon Williams added12 points.
The Bulls were led by Matas Buzelis (18 points, nine rebounds, six assists), Coby White (25 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) and Nikola Vucevic (25 points, nine boards, five assists).
The Mavs were up, 114-102, with 2:57 left. Then things got a bit uncomfortable. White’s basket with 32 seconds remaining got the Bulls (33-41) within 118-115.
After a missed shot by Dinwiddie, Davis intentionally fouled Vucevic with 8.6 seconds left because the Mavs didn’t want the Bulls to attempt a potential game-tying three-pointer. Vucevic missed the first free throw and made the second.
Thompson was subsequently intentionally fouled, and he converted both of his charity tosses to make a three-pointer by Vucevic with 0.9 seconds remaining 
irrelevant.
“It’s just great to see 11 or 12 guys on the roster together now,” Thompson said. “We’re just taking it one game at a time.
“I know once we get whole, we have a chance to really put a great end to this season. We still have big goals to make it a postseason, but right now we’re just trying to take it one game a time and enjoy this run.”
And what a run it’s been for the Mavs, who shot 46.5 percent from the field against Chicago and added 28 assists. They have won four of their last five games while gaining two spots in the standings since the trip started nearly a week ago.
“We’re just focused on one game at a time,” coach Jason Kidd said. “As you know this group is close, they’re fighting for each other, they’re executing the game plan. So, to end the road trip with a W and 3-1 is big this time of the year no matter what the record is. Now we get a chance to protect home.”
The Mavs trailed by 12 points (48-36) less than five minutes into the second quarter. Then, Thompson caught fire as he spearheaded a swift 15-0 run by the Mavs by pouring in three consecutive three-pointers to push Dallas ahead, 51-50, following a bucket by Marshall. Thanks to a late basket by Marshall, the Mavs went on to lead at the half, 58-55. The Mavs went on to lead, 89-87, entering the fourth quarter.
“I got a couple of great looks and I think our defense led to our offense, especially when you have Anthony back there,” Thompson said. “He cause so much problems
at the rim that we’re able to get out in transition so much more fluidly.”
Davis struggled with his shot, finishing the game 7-of-23 from the field. But he impacted the game in other ways.
“AD didn’t have his best game, but the beauty of it is that his teammates kept the game (close). We were still in striking distance,” Kidd said. “And in that third quarter, again, just like in Orlando, we had a big third quarter.
“Everyone is touching the ball, everyone is doing their best defensively, and it’s a team effort. We don’t take anything lightly, because we have a lot of injuries and minutes restrictions.”
The Mavs are now 4-0 with Davis on the active roster. He provides a huge presence, even if he’s not shooting the ball well.
“That (being 4-0 with Davis) is a good indicator,” Thompson said. “I love being his teammate, I love playing off him and I can’t wait to build – not just for this year – but for the future.
“We’ve got a really deep and talented team, and one day Kyrie (Irving) will be back in the lineup too, and that’ll be a special moment and we’ll all get to share the 
floor together again.”
This was the final game this season for Williams, who, as of Saturday, was on the Mavs’ active roster for 50 games, which is the NBA maximum for two-way players.
“It’s really unfortunate that’s the case, because he is helping us so much,” Thompson said. “His ability to get to the rim — his scoring ability — and I really wish he could stick with us, because B-Will has been such a pleasant surprise
“And he’s been such a great energy off the bench or in the starting lineup. It sucks he can’t keep going, because he’s making a huge impact.”
Meanwhile, this was a Bulls’ team that came in as one of the hottest teams in the NBA with eight wins in their previous 10 games, including a pair of victories over the Los Angeles Lakers during a six-day span. But the Mavs were undaunted as they finished the trip strong.
“This is a big win,” Kidd said. “We get one game closer to .500. I don’t think anybody would have said that at this time of the year.”
X: @DwainPrice
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