Erick Blasco

I like what the Mavs are doing. Gibson gives up size and strength on the block. They're posting him with Dirk, Dirk owns a trip to the line from the post. Get Dirk the ball on the block and milk it. The Bulls may have to outright double.

With Gibson and Thomas on the floor, the Bulls don't have great rebounding, but the Bulls defense forces the Mavs to call for time on a BLoB play. Awesome defense. These teams really are two of the best defensive teams in the league.

Thomas can't show on the screen, Korver nowhere to be found, Terry hits the jumper. Dallas doing a good job on the glass as Brewer gets a steal on another poor Dallas pass. Dallas' defense ans rebounding keeping them in the game.

Luol Deng fronting, three-quartering and full on denying Dirk preventing him from getting the ball...as Terry makes a second awful pass, this time on a two-on-one fast break. You can't make bad mistakes like that against a good defense like the Bulls.

Chicago is really hustling in early defense. The Mavs can't score in transition. Asik has really been the biggest difference with high-energy defense.

Terry with an awful pass on the move. Anything that requires thinking neutralizes Terry.

Asik's help defense is very advanced. I love Thibodeau's coaching. He's got all of these guys playing smart, coordinated defense.

Chicago is playing terrific transition defense and awful offensive awareness by the Mavs. Brendan Haywood was defended by a guard and they didn't go to him. This is a reason why the Mavs offense is struggling. Barea and Terry can't run an offense and don't see the floor as well they need to.

Rick Carlisle belongs on TV. He has a great knack for analysis and understanding teams.

Good hands by Brewer to rip Stevenson on the drive. Chicago simply plays excellent defense. That's why they're so good. They're always in games because their defense will keep them in games. With Rose and Deng developing, plus what Boozer gives them in the post, all they need is a two-guard to become a title contender.

One thing Asik does well, he's a terrific roller. He cuts hard to the hoop.

Deng can show and recover on screens, contests Marion causes him to miss. Good defense.

The Grizzlies were picked apart on Monday when they tried to trap Rose's screen/rolls. The Mavs tried to trap him, good slip and pass by Thomas, Deng hits a layup.

Korver overhelps, lucky Stevenson missed a three.

Where would Dallas be without DeShawn Stevenson this year. Back from the grave and playing good basketball!

Sasha Pavlovic takes too long to make his decisions. Dallas is stuck with Tyson Chandler post ups for offense as Thomas doesn't recover and gives up a dunk.

Great close by Rose and he blocks a second jumper. He misses a pull up though...he still needs work on his shooting.

The Bulls better not give up Deng for Melo. They need a two-guard, not a better three. Deng's evolved into an amazing two-way player and really makes the Bulls special as on cue, he makes a terrific pass on a drive to Asik for a dunk.

Dallas is such a different team without Caron Butler. He's their number one perimeter iso scorer, and he's a terrific two-way player. He can shoot, he can drive, and he can score late in the shot clock. Sasha Pavlovic just doesn't cut it.

Props to Reggie Miller for knowing the "below the paint, no restricted area" rule. Very nice! And Deng may be the best defensive wing in the game right now.

Gibson has good hands. but he's not as good a man defender as he is an individual defender. He's too short to contest Chandler's hook.

Deng doesn't settle for a jumper attacks quickly on the Rose kick, hits a runner plus a foul. He's been terrific this year on both ends.

Rose blocks Kidd. Great defense on the jumper.

Chicago loves to use 1-3 screen/rolls at the wing. Very interesting play calling.

Rose's jumper isn't great yet, but he hits an 18 foot pull up there.