DeRosene saved the Chicago Bulls again
The Chicago Bulls opened the New Year overseas in the same way they ended the past - with a dramatic victory at the last possible moment. The Bulls recorded their second consecutive success in about 24 hours, after lying to the Washington Wizards tonight with a final score of 120: 119 (25:32, 27:32, 34:24, 34:31) during their visit to the USA capital.
The hero for the victory of the Bulls again was the guard DeMar DeRozen, who scored an exceptional three with the siren from zero degrees through two defenders to delight the fans of the six-time champions.
Thus, DeRozan became the first basketball player in NBA history who scores two consecutive "buster beaters" in two consecutive days. As you know, just one night ago, the former Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs player also punished the Indiana Pacers team after scoring a decisive three-pointer for 108: 106 with the expiration of time. De Rosen's key shootings have allowed Chicago to take the top spot in the Eastern Conference, leading the column with a balance of 24 wins and 10 losses this season. In second place is the Brooklyn Nets with 23-11, and third are the Milwaukee Bucks champions with 25-13.
The hosts from Washington did not deserve to leave with the victory, as they built a solid double-digit lead in the first half, which was taken away from them only at the very end. The Wizards drew 12 points at half-time, trying to use their height advantage, "conquering" the under-basket of the guests with a total of 72 points in the rectangle against only 30 for the Bulls in the final statistics.
Billy Donovan's basketball players (out for COVID protocols), led today by assistant Chris Fleming, showed character and scored five three-pointers in the third quarter to win it by 10 points and reduce their liabilities to 86:88 before the start of the last part. The Washington team started the final period strongly and came out ahead with a double-digit lead at 92: 102, but the "bulls" found a way to return to the game through important baskets of Nikola Vucevic, DeMar DeRosean and Zach LaVine.
The two teams entered the last minute of the match with a score of 115: 116 in favor of the Wizards, as 40 seconds before the end DeRosean scored two penalties to bring another change of leadership for 117: 116. There was an unsuccessful attack on both sides, before the home player Kyle Kuzma, who became a great scorer at key moments this season, scored a great three for 117: 119 with only 3 seconds left on the board. In his last attack in the match, Chicago came to victory after DeRosein managed to deal with Corey Kispert and Bradley Beale to put an end to the dispute for 120: 119.
A total of four Chicago basketball players finished the game with at least 20 points. Zack LaVien erupted with 35 and 5 rebounds in 11/22 shots per game, DeRosen finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, Nikola Vucevic recorded a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds, and Kobe White continued his strong performance this year with 20 points and 5 assists.
Kyle Kuzma was the top scorer for Washington with 29 points and 12 rebounds in 12/18 shots. Team leader Bradley Beale played a brilliant game in which he set a career high with 17 assists to which he added 27 points. Daniel Gafferd broke the Bulls' podium with 19 points and 8 rebounds, while Kentevius Caldwell-Pope and Denny Avdia added another 13 and 10 points respectively.
It was the seventh consecutive victory for the Chicago Bulls this season, with the team first in the East, while the Wizards are eighth in the conference with an asset of 18 wins and 18 losses. The two teams will face each other again in just one week - on January 8 at the United Center in Chicago.
