It may not go down as DeMar DeRozan best game in the box score but the Bulls forward just delivered a signature moment to his MVP campaign.
With the Bulls trailing by one with four seconds left, DeRozan went to work at the top of the Pacers logo at center court. After a quick crossover dribble, he launched a deep three off his left foot and connected. The shot is now being dubbed the “New Year’s Heave”. DeRozan displayed incredible balance on the shot and a clutch gene that has helped propel the Bulls to a 23-10 record.
“As soon as it left my hand it felt good,” DeRozan told the media after the game.
DEMAR DEROZAN FOR THE WIN!!@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/VjJt8UUtP5
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 31, 2021
DeRozan leads the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring with 232 points. His 53.2% shooting percentage is also the best in the association. The King of the Fourth also ranks second with 7.7 points per game in the fourth quarter and is shooting 50% from behind the arc.
The Bulls made some clutch plays down the stretch to even give DeRozen a chance to win the game. Coby White brought the Bulls within three with a clutch corner three late in the fourth. Then DeRozan sprung Zach LaVine on a fast break who attacked the rim with a one-handed slam to make it 106-105.
However, DeMar DeRozan’s heroics would not have been possible without rookie Ayo Dosunmu. A key moment in the game occurred with 16 seconds remaining. During the previous possession, DeRozan missed a turnaround jumper and was still heated. The Pacers guard Tory Craig lost the handle on the ball and DeRozen went diving after it. The ball looked like it deflected off of Craig before going out of bounds, but the referee gave the Pacers possession. DeRozan immediately got up and started barking. Dosumu came and pulled him aside, escorting him away before he could get a technical foul
It was a smart move from the rookie that paid dividends. It also showcased his maturity to grab a veteran player.
DeRozan finished the contest with a team-high 28 points on 8-24 shooting. He also chipped in three rebounds and six assists on an uncharacteristic inefficient shooting night.
His All-Star counterpart, Zack LaVine had 17 points, while the third member of the Bull’s “big three”, Nikola Vucevic had 14. Coby White had a phenomenal game on the offensive end, posting 24 points on 7-11 shooting.
DeRozan even went as far as to say “you take away Coby from this game we don’t win”.
The 108-106 victory marks the Bulls sixth in a row. They are now in first place in the Eastern Conference.
