Mavericks keeps starters in, beat Bulls

DALLAS -- The Bulls starters played well on Thursday in Dallas, but they were on the bench when the outcome was decided late in the fourth quarter.

While the Bulls played their reserves, the Mavericks kept Dirk Nowitzki, Caron Butler and Jason Terry on the floor down the stretch and pulled away for an 88-83 preseason victory.

Derrick Rose led the Bulls (0-2) with 17 points, while center Joakim Noah finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The Bulls outscored Dallas by 11 points while Rose was on the floor.

Nowitzki scored 30 points in 35 minutes to lead the Mavericks, while Butler finished with 22 points. The home team held a 27-13 edge in free throws.

The Bulls' defense limited Dallas to 38.7-percent shooting, but for the second straight game, they were pounded on the boards. The Mavericks finished with a whopping 54-34 edge in rebounds, including 18-8 on the offensive glass.

“The rebounding continues to be a problem, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game. “We've got to get into people, we've got to drive them back, then we have to gang rebound. Our smalls aren't helping, our bigs aren't driving back. Right now it's a team problem we need to work on.

Thibodeau gave better reviews to the start of the game when Rose led the Bulls to an early 18-9 advantage.

The Bulls took their last lead at 75-74 with 5:58 left on a Kyle Korver jumper, before Butler scored the next 9 points on 3 long jumpers and a pair of free throws. Korver missed a 3-pointer that could have brought the Bulls within 2 points in the final minute and Nowitzki sealed the outcome with a long jumper.

“I thought we got off to a good start, were executing, playing both ends of the floor, Thibodeau said. “But we're nowhere near being a 48-minute team and that's what we have to do to be successful.

Thibodeau made a change in the rotation by giving point guard John Lucas III a chance to play, while C.J. Watson sat the whole game. Lucas shot the ball well in summer league, but went 2-for-10 from the field in this game.

Shooting guard Kyle Weaver had a nice stretch in the second quarter, but played just 7 minutes total. Korver and Keith Bogans added 10 points each for the Bulls.

No news on Dampier: The Bulls did meet with ex-Dallas center Erick Dampier, but have no plans to sign the 35-year-old big man. Dampier reportedly met with Phoenix on Thursday.Dampier was traded to Charlotte this summer in the deal that sent Tyson Chandler to Dallas, then was waived because his contract wasn't fully guaranteed.