- (Sports Network) - The struggling Dallas Mavericks will try and halt a three- game skid when they make the trek to the Windy City Thursday to face the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Los Angeles' Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and converted a critical three-point play with 23.1 seconds remaining, helping the Lakers remain unbeaten with a 106-99 win over the reeling Mavericks in Dallas on Tuesday.

Jason Kidd logged his 101st career triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, but the Mavericks fell to 0-3 at home for the first time since 1993-94, when they lost their first 19 home games.

"It is early, but at the same time we need to start getting some wins under our belt," said Kidd. "We can learn from this game and understand that we are not that far off. We just need to stay together and keep fighting."

Dirk Nowitzki was limited to 14 points and eight rebounds on 5-of-17 shooting, and he fouled out in the final minute for Dallas, which has lost three in a row overall and fell to 2-5 this season. Erick Dampier had 11 points and 16 rebounds in defeat.

The Bulls haven't been much better, dropping their second straight to the surprising Atlanta Hawks in Chicago on Tuesday.

Rising star Al Horford scored 27 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, and Mike Bibby scored 22 points as the Hawks earned a 113-108 win.

No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose continued to prove his worth, as he led all Bulls scorers with 26 points and ripped down 10 boards. Luol Deng had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago, which has dropped four of five.

Ben Gordon added 19 points for the Bulls, who lost on the day guard Kirk Hinrich had surgery on his right thumb. Hinrich, who suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb in the third quarter of Friday's win over Phoenix, could be out as long as three months.

In other injury news, Rose is probable for tonight's game with a sore back while power forward Drew Gooden is questionable with a sprained right ankle. Meanwhile, guard Larry Hughes, who has not played this season after suffering a dislocated right shoulder in the preseason, is getting closer and is listed as doubtful.

For the Mavs, forward Josh Howard, who has missed the last two games, remains questionable with a sprained left wrist.

Dallas swept the home-and-home season series last season and had won five of six and 18 of the last 20 meetings between the two clubs.







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