Bulls face Mavericks at opportune time to improve upon major weakness

Despite the similarity in records, the Dallas Mavericks' priorities are far different than that of the Chicago Bulls. Coming off an NBA Finals appearance, Dallas added Klay Thompson in the offseason to further increase their chances of back-to-back finals runs.

Conversely, Chicago lost to the Miami Heat in the play-in to secure the eighth seed. After that, the Bulls saw DeMar DeRozan walk in a three-team sign-and-trade with minimal return. Chicago seemed to prioritize youth while toeing the line between competitiveness. The Bulls retained several key cogs while improving an already-steady backcourt.

Increasing in the backcourt has paid off, as the Bulls have seen major improvements in assists per game, three-point percentage, and fastbreak points from a season ago. While there's certainly some addition by subtraction when considering the Bulls' more free-flowing offense and the DeRozan trade, it's important to note Coby White's continued progression, Zach LaVine's return, and Josh Giddey's passing ability as a direct correlation of Chicago's improvements on the perimeter.

However, it's dually noted that the Bulls' shift in offensive approach has led to an ineptitude toward interior offense. Despite improved marks in rebounding and blocks per game, Chicago's interior scoring contributions have seen a dip following DeRozan and Andre Drummond's departures. The Bulls rank 27th in paint points per game, averaging a measly 41.7—nearly seven fewer than last season.

The Bulls take on the Mavericks without several key big men

It's important to dissect early-season returns. Nevertheless, it's a long season, and trends don't paint the long-term picture. The Bulls may not rank near the bottom in points in the paint at the end of the season, it's too early to tell. And, a game against the Mavericks will be exactly what Chicago needs to right the early-season ship.

Dallas is middling when it comes to its opponent's points in the paint per game. However, the Mavericks will be without power forwards P.J. Washington and Maxi Kleber, and center Dereck Lively II is a game-time decision following his absence against the Indiana Pacers on Monday.

The Mavericks will struggle to defend the rim without several important interior contributors in the lineup. Washington, Kleber, and Lively rank first, third, and fourth on the team in blocks per game. The lone interior presence is former Bull, Daniel Gafford, who will have his hands full with Nikola Vucevic. Backing up Gafford is Dwight Powell, an adequate, yet unimposing interior presence.

Besides the Vucevic-Gafford matchup, one of Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving will be tasked with defending Coby White or Zach LaVine. Both Doncic and Irving's opponents have shot three percent higher than their typical field goal percentage when defended by the Dallas guards. Add Nikola's impressive three-point clip to the mix, offering increased spacing, and the Bulls' offense is given all the ingredients to score a bevy of points on the interior against a depleted Dallas frontcourt.

The Mavericks may appear to be the superior opponents, but missing Washington and the potential absence of Lively II is the formula for defensive disaster. Dallas has held up quite well defensively this season, but the loss of their two defensive dynamos cedes nearly 35 shot contests per game and much-needed defense versatility against an adaptable Chicago offense.