Bulls-Mavs Preview

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7:30 p.m. Tuesday, American Airlines Center

TV/RADIO: FSN; ESPN-FM (103.3), KESS-AM (1270, Spanish)

SERIES: Bulls lead 25-20
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Key Matchup
Jalen Rose vs. Michael Finley
Rose has had a lukewarm start to the season, but he averaged 27.5 points in two meetings against the Mavericks last season. He broke out of a 5-of-27, two-game shooting slump with 4-of-8 shooting in 26 minutes of a blowout loss to Sacramento on Sunday. Rose is the Bulls' best player and he's been mentioned in multiple trade rumors over the last week.


Inside the Bulls
An imperfect 10: It's been almost six years since they have beaten the Mavericks as they have lost 10 consecutive dating to Dec. 29, 1997. It should be noted that the last nine of those wins have come since Michael Jordan retired for the second time, never to play for the Bulls again.

Starting to come around: Jamal Crawford missed two games with a sprained neck but has returned to average 21 points and 5.5 assists the last two outings. After three erratic and injury-plagued seasons, Crawford is starting to play like the Bulls thought he would when they made him the eighth overall pick after his freshman season at Michigan.




Inside the Mavs
Finley on the rise: Michael Finley has erased memories of the slow start to the season, averaging 17.4 points over the last five games. He's shooting over 44 percent in that time and 37.5 percent from 3-point range. He's also had a team-best seven steals during the last five games to go with six blocks and six turnovers.

Six haves, six have-nots: The Mavericks' scoring sheet is one of the oddest in the NBA after a month. They have six players averaging in double figures. And the other six players on the active roster all are averaging four points or less.




Probable Starters
F- Tyson Chandler vs. Dirk Nowitski
F- Jalen Rose vs. Antoine Walker
C- Eddie Curry vs. Shawn Bradley
G- Scottie Pippen vs. Mikchael Finley
G- Jamal Crawford vs. Steve Nash