DeMar DeRozan’s Game-Winning 1-Legged 3-Pointer Against Pacers Stunned His Bulls Teammates: ‘You’re Sick’
The Chicago Bulls were down 106-105 against the Indiana Pacers with 10.0 seconds left in regulation. Acting head coach Chris Fleming thought about calling a timeout to draw up a game-winning play, but he trusted DeMar DeRozan to make the right decision.
DeRozan, who is putting up MVP-type numbers in his first season with the Bulls, wasn’t having his best game. However, the All-Star shooting guard’s final shot against the Pacers was so ridiculous that he stunned his teammates.
DeMar DeRozan hit one-legged 3-pointer at buzzer
DeRozan channeled his inner Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant by sinking a one-legged 3-pointer at the buzzer to defeat the Pacers. His teammates mobbed him after making the stellar shot, which gave the Bulls their sixth win in a row.
“By the time I looked up, I didn’t realize the clock was so low,” DeRozan said of the shot. “I had to get it off. As soon as it left my hand, it felt good.”
Thanks to DeRozan, the Bulls are now in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 23-10. Surprisingly, Chicago hasn’t lost a game since starting point guard Lonzo Ball entered health and safety protocols on Dec. 26. The UCLA Bruin, who should return to game action soon, watched the Bulls-Pacers game and had the perfect reaction after DeRozan’s shot went in at the buzzer.
Lonzo Ball to DeMar DeRozan: “You’re sick”
Ball took to Instagram after DeRozan hit the game-winning shot. The 24-year-old was hyped and couldn’t believe DeRozan made a one-legged game-winner, typing the caption, “You’re sick,” after tagging DeRozan.
The Bulls certainly can’t wait to get Ball back in the lineup. He’s averaging 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.8 steals in his first season in Chicago while shooting 41.8% from the field, 41.9% from beyond the arc, and 77.3% from the free-throw line. Although DeRozan and Zach LaVine are the two best players on the Bulls, Ball is their top perimeter defender. He also impacts winning. The playmaker has a plus-minus of +96 and is in all the Bulls’ top net rating lineups.
Ball wasn’t the only Bulls player to celebrate DeRozan’s fantastic shot on social media. LaVine, who finished with 17 points and six rebounds against the Pacers, had the perfect message to Bulls Nation following DeRozan’s miracle shot.
Zach LaVine: “New Year’s Eve Heave!!!!”
LaVine tweeted, “New Year’s Eve Heave!!!!” to celebrate DeRozan’s game-winner. LaVine and DeRozan have arguably been the best duo in the NBA this season, and they have developed a strong bond despite being first-year teammates.
DeRozan is averaging 26.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists for the Bulls while shooting 49.7% from the field. Meanwhile, LaVine is putting up 26.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. The two-time Slam Dunk champion is shooting 41.0% from beyond the arc and ranks sixth in the league in scoring. DeRozan is fifth and continues to make an MVP case.
The Bulls are well on their way to making the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 season. It will be fascinating to see how far they can go in the postseason behind DeRozan and LaVine. Chicago could make some serious noise if the two All-Stars play like they have been performing in the regular season.
Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference
