Dallas @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 5, 2018 ) Chicago 127, Dallas 124

The Chicago Bulls have barely been competitive during a five-game losing streak as they improve upon their draft chances this spring. The Dallas Mavericks are in a similar boat, losing five of their last six, and have a chance at a rare victory Friday when they visit the sliding Bulls.

The Mavericks took Oklahoma City to overtime Wednesday night before falling 111-110, their fifth straight setback in games decided by five points or fewer. "People look at their record and think they aren't a very good team," Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said of Dallas. "They are a good basketball team. They have not been able to close out some games." The Bulls haven't been in many close games of late and four of their five straight losses came by at least 15 points. Zach LaVine led seven Chicago players in double figures with 21 points in Tuesday's 118-103 loss at Charlotte, capping an 0-3 road trip.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), WGN (Chicago)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (19-43): Standout rookie Dennis Smith Jr. is shooting 30.4 percent from the field since the All-Star break and he missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer in OT. "The last shot was a tough shot but a makeable shot," Smith told reporters. "Learn from it, learn from it. You can look at it as a loss or a lesson." As Smith learns lessons, future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki continues to pile up milestones and he became the sixth player in NBA history with 31,000 career points in the loss to the Thunder.

ABOUT THE BULLS (20-41): Chicago used a 47-point fourth quarter to rally for a thrilling 127-124 win at Dallas earlier this season as youngsters Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen played big parts, but they are struggling of late. Dunn is 17-of-49 from the floor since the All-Star break and had seven turnovers against the Hornets while Markkanen is 15-of-45 - including 2-of-14 from long range. LaVine, who was still on the shelf following ACL surgery when the teams met in Dallas, topped 20 points in three straight games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nowitzki has made 10,966 field goals in his career and needs 11 more to move past Elvin Hayes and into eighth place on the NBA's all-time list.

2. Bulls PG David Nwaba is averaging 11.3 points on 60 percent shooting in seven starts.

3. Dallas took the previous four meetings in Chicago.

PREDICTION: Bulls 111, Mavericks 109