Just when their season seemed to be over, the Chicago Bulls rallied back to stun the Toronto Raptors. It was one of those storybook comebacks orchestrated by the stars of the franchise. Despite being down by 19 to the Toronto Raptors, the Bulls stayed resilient. The tandem of DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine led the way in the fightback. However, there was one unlikely individual in the stands who also contributed to the win.
Supporting her father, 9-year-old Diar DeRozan passionately cheered on for the Bulls jumping out of her seat on every important play. But that wasn’t all. According to one of the defeated Raptors starlet, she was somehow able to put them off their game.
DeMar DeRozan and daughter Diar the heroes for the Bulls?
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Every time the Raptors went to the free-throw line, there was one fan who screamed at the top of her lungs. Among the storming Raptors support, a lone Diar DeRozan tried her best to distract the opposition. And as confirmed by Scottie Barnes himself, it seems she did so very successfully.
“It was quiet in the gym. She was yelling. I was trying to figure out who it was? I don?t know if it really had an effect. We went 18-for-36 (from the line) so it had to have an effect somewhat. She did a great job.? said the 2022 Rookie of the Year.
"Went 18/36, it had to have an affect."
Scottie Barnes heard DeMar's daughter yelling pic.twitter.com/wQ2lRT8Z9B
— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) April 13, 2023
Down 19 at one point, the Bulls needed a glimmer of hope, a moment of magic. As it seems their hidden and most effective trick was Diar. A Raptors side that shot 78% from the charity stripe for the season only made half of their free throws during the entire game. Without the 2019 champions converting the important buckets, Chicago was able to go on a run.
Despite her game-changing tactic, DeMar DeRozan said she wouldn’t be able to travel to South Beach for their game against the Miami Heat. However, Zach LaVine knew the Bulls need all their weapons, especially their most effective one. The high-flying guard admitted to lobbying while speaking to Malika Andrews telling her, “I think the teacher is going to give her a hall pass.??
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From NBA Today: Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan join us from the team plane to weigh in on Diar DeRozan’s availability for Bulls-Heat: “I think the teacher is going to give her a hall pass.” pic.twitter.com/hgXlEBeKv9
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) April 13, 2023
Chicago has a tough challenge up ahead facing the Miami Heat tomorrow for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. LaVine, DeRozan, and the Bulls proved they will not go down without a fight. The fans of Vice City are known to be loud and right behind the Heat. The atmosphere is most likely to be passionate and, more importantly, loud.
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If Diar does manage to get the ‘hall pass’, she will have to bring her A game for the Heat to feel her powers. Do you think the Chicago Bulls will snatch the 8th seed tomorrow? Let us know what you think in the comments below.