DeMar DeRozan once more reencountered childhood in his bedroom, where he poured water on his head to simulate perspiration and performed fictitious jump shots while daydreaming of crowd-ecstatic moments in which every shot missed the net.
In his rookie outing, DeRozan recorded 25 points, Drummond recorded season-highs of 24 points and 25 rebounds, and Chicago somewhat subdued Trae Young’s output in a 118-113 victory on Tuesday night.
Young tied Oscar Robertson’s record with seven consecutive games in which he recorded at least 30 points and 10 assists before finishing with 21 points and 13 assists.
Aside from Zach LaVine, who was sidelined by inflammation in his right foot, the Bulls prevailed in nine of thirteen contests. This time, however, they succeeded despite the fact that center Nikola Vucevic was sidelined with muscle contusions to his left hip and groin.
All but four of DeRozan’s points were achieved in the second half. His eleven points in the fourth quarter, eight of which came in the final 2:50, were crucial in Chicago’s victory.
“Those moments bring out the child in me,” he declared. “I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the audience. It’s enjoyable. “Being trusted in those moments is a privilege and an honor; therefore, you should try to soak it all up.”
Drummond participated in 39 minutes while Vucevic was sidelined, making 11 of 13.
He stated, “I continue to believe I am a starter in this league.” “However, I accept my current position and strive to perform to the best of my ability.”
Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White both achieved a score of 19. On 3-point attempts, White missed all seven, and the Bulls finished 7 of 25 from that distance. However, they converted sufficient opportunities to recover from Saturday’s loss to injury-plagued Cleveland.
Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 22 points to lead Atlanta. After a streak of five games in which he scored 20 or more, Dejounte Murray concluded with 17, and the Hawks suffered their third consecutive loss.
The game was tied at 106-all with just under four minutes remaining when Alex Caruso nailed a three-pointer, and the Bulls lead 111-110 when DeRozan made a 14-footer with 1:42 remaining.
Murray was subsequently summoned for a charge. Caruso stole the ball and came away with a three-pointer, while White missed a layup and a layup attempt with an opportunity to cut the deficit to two possessions.
Young then reduced the deficit to 113-111 with 43 seconds remaining via a free throw. However, DeRozan’s finger roll with 26 seconds remaining increased Chicago’s lead to four, and the Bulls held on from that point forward.
Jalen Johnson of Atlanta recorded ten points in his first start since November 25. 14 games were missed by the versatile forward due to a fractured left wrist.
Chicago could be without two essential players for a duration of time, as Vucevic has joined LaVine on the sidelines.
Coach Billy Donovan was uncertain regarding the duration of Vucevic’s absence. Tuesday found the two-time All-Star undergoing an MRI.
Vucevic sustained an injury while attempting to block a dunk attempted by Max Strus of Cleveland during Saturday’s loss to the Cavaliers. The right leg of Strus injured Vucevic in the groin region.
This season, Vucevic, who averaged 10.4 rebounds and 16.7 points, missed his first contest. He participated in every single one hundred and twenty-two games last season.
In the interim, LaVine initiated light pruning on Tuesday.