CHICAGO — So few around the city of Chicago watched what transpired at the United Center on Saturday. Even those who lingered an hour or so after the Bulls’ 125-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks howled for the other game. The one their pride was tethered to.

They posted near TVs, either by a fireplace or inside a local bar, their spirits at Soldier Field, invested in the Bears’ NFC wild-card comeback against the Green Bay Packers. Mavericks executive Michael Finley, a Maywood, Ill., native, nervously hovered over a plate of food, his blood pressure seemingly spiking more from incompletions than the mild sauce.

Chicago savored playoff football on Saturday. The Bulls hosting the Mavericks in January felt destined to be a distant second.

For those who didn’t watch the NBA game, promise grew. Matas Buzelis added a worthwhile page to a turbulent sophomore season. He finished with 15 points and six rebounds and outplayed rookie sensation Cooper Flagg (11 points, one rebound) and continued an encouraging two-week stretch. Even with the striking contrast of their runways within their respective teams, Buzelis passed this litmus test.

The Bulls trounced the injury-laden Mavericks. Two-way rookies Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse started for Dallas. Referee Scott Foster ejected coach Jason Kidd in the first quarter for his apparent potty mouth. And Anthony Davis fended off pointed comments about his fit, clad in Packers gear like a Champs mannequin.

Chicago wiped the floor with what remained of the Mavs (No. 1 in the NBA in pace), scoring 38 fast-break points to Dallas’ eight, the essence of this Bulls squad if it were more consistent. Seven Bulls scored in double figures.

There’s a predictable checklist of the things that need to happen for the Bulls to stand a chance in games when they inch closer to full strength. Whether that style holds depends on the whims of the season: who’s in and out of the lineup, whether this big or that wing is playing. It’s a revolving door of injuries, inconsistency and irrationally important role players that make these Bulls perpetually difficult to evaluate in totality.

Buzelis’ ambitious shot volume, though, sticks out. It’s a recent upward trend that feels real. Between Josh Giddey’s hamstring strain from Chicago’s loss to Minnesota on Dec. 29 and Coby White’s minute restriction since his return from a nagging calf issue, Buzelis walked into more usage.

A heavier, critical dosage of being the man. The look suits him.

Through his first 32 games this season, he averaged 10.4 attempts. With the Bulls’ recent injuries, Buzelis is averaging 15 attempts over his last six games. He’s shooting 47.8 percent from the field in that span. He finished Saturday a plus-19.