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Mar 13, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
via Imago
Mar 13, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bulls had a great night. Playing against the Indiana Pacers, DeMar DeRozan shone throughout the night. His scoring prowess was on full display tonight as he erupted for a season-high 46 points. DeRozan almost would have had a double-double as he finished with three assists and nine rebounds.
Interestingly, he had promised that he would go crazy before OT. He kept his word. Aside from what he did above, DeMar DeRozan’s clutch play was crucial to the game. His game-tying jumper with just 0.3 seconds led to the matchup going overtime. And Rozan’s first eight points of OT proved to be major for the Bulls to win 132-129 tonight!
DeRozan on clutch shots: "I'm not scared to fail. I want those moments more than anything. It always reminds me of my childhood and doing the little fake countdown, jumping on the bed and fake-shooting the shot. As a competitor, those moments are the ones I relish."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 14, 2024
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Chicago has their season marred with injuries, leaving them devoid of two of their best players – Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams. But it is in situations like these that the true test happens. Can the others step up and take the responsibility? For the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan passed that test.
The Chicago Bulls have 32 wins this season and rank ninth in the Eastern Conference. But they lead the season’s list in clutch wins and with tonight’s victory, the number has risen to 23. The only other team with the same number of clutch victory is the Denver Nuggets.
Another interesting fact is that tonight also marks their 38th clutch game of the season, tying with the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warrriors for the most clutch games played. Not to mention, they lead for playing the most clutch minutes as well.
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DeMar DeRozan is the knight in shining armor for Chicago
There is absolutely no doubt that DeMar is one of the best clutch players the Bulls have got. He ranks second in the league with 161 clutch points this season. The first position is occupied by none other than Stephen Curry, obviously. His brilliance was on full display when the game was closing in on them and favoring the Pacers. Him forcing overtime did not just come about by sheer luck.
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Coby White was on his way to score a go-ahead transition layup in the final moments of the fourth quarter. But Pascal Siakam was at hand and blocked it hard from behind, falling on White in the process. It wasn’t pleasant and the young guard limped to the locker room after the initial pain became bearable. But the game was not over. After Aaron Nesmith hit both his free throws, Indiana proceeded to foul DeRozan.
We all know what happened after that. DeMar missing the second free throw intentionally speaks volumes about his feel for the game. As soon as it turned overtime, it was a done deal for the Pacers. The Bulls hold a 7-3 record in OT.
