Bulls begin post-Cartwright era in Dallas

Dallas, TX (Basketball News) - One day after firing its head coach, Chicago travels to Dallas to take on the explosive Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

On Monday, Bulls general manager John Paxson announced that head coach Bill Cartwright has been relieved of his duties. Pete Myers has taken over as Chicago’s leader on an interim basis.

The Bulls have lost five straight games and are just 4-10 this season.

The 46-year-old Cartwright was the 15th coach in franchise history. He won three championships as a player and two as an assistant coach with Chicago under Phil Jackson.

Cartwright registered a 51-100 record as the head coach of the Bulls. He became their general on December 28, 2001, when he took over for Tim Floyd, who is now the head coach of the New Orleans Hornets.

Myers came into this season as a team scout. He is currently in his fifth season with the Bulls’ basketball operations department. Myers has worked as both an assistant coach and as a member of the Bulls’ scouting staff.

Chicago lost its fifth straight Sunday as the Sacramento Kings defeated the Bulls, 110-99, at ARCO Arena.

Jamal Crawford posted 19 points and six assists off the bench for the Bulls, who shot 52 percent from the field, but lost the battle on the boards, 51-34.

Chicago to 3-4 on the road.

Antawn Jamison finished with 26 points, while Antoine Walker scored 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead Dallas to a 115-101 win over Denver on Saturday in front of their home crowd.

Dirk Nowitzki contributed 19 points and 11 assists, while Steve Nash added 18 points and eight assists for the Mavericks, who posted their second straight win overall and ninth straight over Denver.

Michael Finley registered 12 points against Denver for the Mavericks, who have won 15 of the last 16 meetings with the Nuggets.

Dallas outrebounded the Nuggets, 52-43.

The Mavs are a perfect 7-0 at home.

In 2002-03, the Mavericks swept two games with the Bulls. The Mavs won 114-87 in Chicago and 103-90 in Dallas.

Overall, the Mavs have won 10 in a row over Chicago, while the Bulls have lost six straight in Dallas.