The Chicago Bulls’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers was challenging.
They had a 16-point lead in the second half. But they still had to fight to win their 39th close game of the season. It came with a cost as well. An elbow from Blazers big man Duop Reath left Andre Drummond caused him pain in the fourth quarter, enough to make him fall to the ground.
Head Coach Billy Donovan updated Drummond’s condition after the game. He said the big man may need to have one of his teeth removed.
“I don’t want to guess, but I think he may have to get it removed or fixed,” Donovan told reporters after the 110-107 win on March 18. “He has to do something about it, I know that.
“I didn’t ask him how it happened, I don’t know what happened. But it is his tooth, and he has to get it fixed. And whatever that means, I’m not sure really.”
The Bulls were losing 103-102 with 2:46 to go when Drummond was hit while grabbing a rebound.
He stayed in the game for several more plays before leaving. Drummond ended with nine points and 11 rebounds. He struggled with his efficiency battling Reath and starter Deandre Ayton in the paint, finishing 2-for-10 from the floor.
Portland outscored Chicago 56-48 in the paint, although the Bulls had an 18-11 lead in second-chance points.
Drummond didn't talk to the media after the game. However, he was in high spirits in the locker room, as per a report from The Bigs’ Drew Stevens. The Bulls surely hope that is a good sign with Drummond having consecutive double-digit scoring games..
He is also valuable next to starter Nikola Vucevic. The Bulls struggle with three-pointers, but they make up for it with extra possessions.
They would have had a plus-two rebounding lead if the Blazers hadn't outrebounded them 13-8 in the fourth quarter.
DeMar DeRozan Scores in 4Q of Bulls Win Over Blazers
DeMar DeRozan led the team with 28 points and nine points in the fourth quarter. DeRozan is one point behind Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry for the NBA in total clutch points, according to NBA.com.
The 34-year-old DeRozan also leads the NBA in total minutes played.
Aside from basketball, DeRozan attributed his boxing and swimming workouts during the offseason to keeping in the right mindset on the court.
DeRozan’s offseason training has been well-documented. Younger Bulls teammates have joined him in each of the last two offseasons, especially Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry, although he has influenced and/or trained with Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White as well.
It’s one of the key reasons the Bulls want to bring the six-time All-Star back next season.
Bulls Extend Lead in Play-In Tournament Race
The Bulls were 2.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Hawks for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings. This means they will have a home game in the opening round of the Play-In Tournament.
They now have a 3.5-game lead after the Hawks’ 136-105 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on that night.
Chicago is now 3.5 games behind the Miami Heat for eighth place with 13 games left. Atlanta and Miami each have 14 games remaining after losing their last games. The Bulls are the only team in the Play-In field with a win in their last game.
One of the Chicago Bulls’ big players has to get medical help after the victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.
