The Chicago Bulls have won back-to-back games to overtake the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Both of those victories were achieved by game-winners from beyond the arc from DeMar DeRozan, who has been the NBA’s best clutch performer in 2021-22.
The feat that DeRozan achieved by making a game-winning buzzer-beater on consecutive days is an unparalleled achievement in NBA history.
Facing a 106-105 disadvantage on the scoreboard with about 5 seconds left to play, DeRozan faced a hedge and recover from the Pacers’ ball screen coverage—resulting in a one-legged pull-up from beyond the arc. Torrey Craig tightly contested the attempt but it was not enough.
Trailing 119-117 with 3.3 seconds left against the Washington Wizards, DeMar DeRozan received an inbounds pass near the corner with his back to the basket. Seeing a developing double-team with Bradley Beal coming over—who was originally guarding the inbounder—DeRozan dribbled away into the deep corner. A pump fake got the defender in the air and the second contest wasn’t enough, either.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan Needs To Be In NBA MVP Conversation
“Just to hit a buzzer-beater in general is amazing, especially when you do it on the road,” DeRozan said. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m dreaming. If it’s real right now.”
“It’s just an honor to be trusted in the fourth quarter. Whether things are going good or going bad, my team, teammates always leaned on me to be that calm presence to bring us home. I always bring that calm presence as much as I can in the fourth quarter, letting guys understand, as long we got time we got a chance.”
While those plays from DeMar DeRozan may grab the attention of most and make SportsCenter, it’s important to recognize his production when the Bulls have needed him the most. He is leading the NBA in fourth quarter points per game on 53/54/88 shooting splits. When looking just at clutch situations, he is shooting 56/100/96 splits.
“Thank God we have DeMar DeRozan on our team,” Zach LaVine said.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan Needs To Be In NBA MVP Conversation
It has been a highly impressive season overall from DeMar DeRozan, who is averaging 26.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He’s doing all of this while shooting 49.5% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the arc (career-best). He’s going to be very much in the conversation to be named not only a starter in the NBA All-Star Game, but also All-NBA First-Team.
Where DeMar DeRozan will need to perform the most for the Chicago Bulls is in the playoffs. He has been a key leader for a variety of highly successful regular season Toronto Raptors teams but the team ran into the LeBron James buzzsaw. Now, the Eastern Conference is open with the Brooklyn Nets being the top threat.
