The Chicago Bulls outlasted the Indiana Pacers 132-129 on Wednesday, March 13, defeating the fifth-place team and strengthening their ninth-place position in the standings.
However, they had to overcome a double-digit deficit and a strong performance from Pacers center Myles Turner to achieve this. It was advantageous to have DeMar DeRozan, who showcased his typical skills to help secure the victory.
DeRozan scored 27 of his season-high 46 points in the second half, including the basket that pushed the game into overtime and the free throw that prompted a desperate three-point attempt from Indy.
“It’s like a survival mode that kicks in; in a fun way,” expressed DeRozan told reporters after the game. “You embrace those moments. For me, I just thrive off them moments. I’m not scared to fail, I’m not scared to try to make something happen. I want those moments more than anything. It always reminds me about my childhood, being a kid and doing the little fake countdown, jumping on the bed, fake shooting a shot.
“As a competitor, those moments are always something I try to relish in.”
DeRozan and Co. still needed Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton to airball his three-point attempt while trying to draw a foul as time expired.
This victory was crucial for the Bulls and DeRozan after his minimal impact in their loss to the Dallas Mavericks on March 11, only scoring 13 points on 4-for-9 shooting in just over 22 minutes during a 35-point blowout defeat.
DeMar DeRozan, Bulls Get Key Win in Closing Stretch Regular Season
The Bulls' win ended a two-game losing streak, as they secured four wins in their last six games after struggling with a 2-3 record following the All-Star break.
This victory also pushed them 2.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hawks also lost to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The other teams in the Play-In Tournament race have a 5-5 record in their last 10 games.
The Bulls are 6-4.
They are still within reach of catching the Pacers or Miami Heat, who are currently on a four-game losing streak, for seventh or eighth place in the standings.
This would at least secure them an additional Play-In Tournament game. The Heat and Bulls have the third-easiest remaining strength of schedule in the Eastern Conference as of March 14, according to Tankathon.
The Hawks have the third-most difficult remaining schedule, while the Pacers rank eighth.
All Eyes on Coby White’s Hip Injury
The positive momentum from DeRozan’s remarkable performance was overshadowed by Coby White’s injury, which saw him hobble to the Bulls’ locker room with assistance in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.
Head Coach Billy Donovan would only confirm a hip injury for the breakout guard.
“It looks like his hip right now. I don’t have any more detail than that,” Donovan told reporters postgame. “I do know when we get back to Chicago, he’s gonna have to get examined. What that is, I’m not quite sure. Whether it’s x-rays, MRI. They’re gonna do some kind of [testing].
“It’s his hip, they [medical staff] believe. But they just don’t know the extent of it. I think that’s what they want to figure out; just what is actually going on.
We will hope for a positive outcome.
Donovan hinted that he thought the injury was not very serious. And White was in good moods in the locker room. However, the Bulls – and fans – are eagerly awaiting the final update on White in a stressful season filled with injuries for the Bulls.
