The Chicago Bulls picked up right where they left off when they got things underway following the NBA All-Star break. They entered the break on a five-game winning streak and defeated the Atlanta Hawks in their first game back, 112-108.
What has become commonplace at this point, it was once again DeMar DeRozan that put the team on his back to help win the game. He extended his remarkable streak of scoring at least 35 points in a game while making at least half of his shot attempts to eight games. It was the ninth game in a row that he broke the 30-point plateau as well.
Overall, DeRozan finished the game with 37 points, making 16-of-21 from the field, 2-of-3 from the 3-point line, and 5-of-7 from the foul line. He added six rebounds, three assists, and one steal while turning the ball over only twice in 37 minutes.
After Chicago saw their eight-point lead disappear in the fourth quarter, it was DeRozan who hit the two shots to get the Bulls back in the game and take the lead. Big shots at the end of games have been automatic for DeRozan, as he is as locked in as he has ever been in his career.
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He is in the midst of a historic stretch of basketball, yet he seems to be flying under the radar still. When people discuss the MVP race this season, he is rarely included.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets have been garnering the most attention. Embiid and Jokic are both having excellent seasons in their own right, however, DeMar DeRozan should be right there with them.
DeRozan is fourth in the NBA with 28.1 points per game and 34th with 5.1 assists. He is also averaging 5.2 rebounds per game, with a PER of 25.26, which is the seventh-best in the league. DeRozan has been carrying the team with key players, such as Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine, battling injuries.
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Team success, which plays a part, should also help bolster DeMar DeRozan’s case. The Chicago Bulls are in first place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39-21 and he is as big of a part of that as any player on the roster. If they can hold onto the No. 1 seed heading into the postseason, DeRozan deserves more recognition than he is receiving for the MVP award.
