Chicago, Dec. 20 (BUS): DeMar DeRozan scored 38 points after missing two weeks in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 115-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Nikola Vucevich scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and Lonzo Ball added 19 points to put the Bulls on their losing streak in two consecutive games. This is Chicago’s first game since December 11, after two matches were postponed.
LeBron James scored 31 points, Carmelo Anthony added 21 and Russell Westbrook 20 to land Los Angeles for the second time in a row, the Associated Press reported.
With the Bulls trailing by a point in the last minute, DeRozan hit 18 feet to lead 111-110 with 52 seconds remaining. Following a Lakers foul, DeRozan missed a shot but then was fouled with 15.6 seconds left after grabbing the offensive rebound. Then DeRozan hit both free throws to 113-110.
Much like the first two months of the season, the Bulls turned to DeRozan at a rough time and he delivered.
“It is such an honor to trust in those moments,” he said. “I never take it for granted. It’s an adrenaline rush you can’t replicate, so you try to make the most of it every time you’re put in. There’s no such thing as it. You have to take the good with the bad, and I’m willing to take both.”
Before two games were postponed last week due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Bulls had 10 players on health and safety protocols. That number is down to four now, including All-Star Zach LaVine.
Although no game has been postponed for the Lakers, they currently have six players – Kent Bazimore, Avery Bradley and Tallinn Horton Tucker. Dwight Howard, owner Monk and Austin Reeves – and coach Frank Vogel on Health and Safety Protocols.
It was also Los Angeles’ first game since striker Anthony Davies sprained his left knee on Friday. He is expected to miss four weeks.
“Obviously we do things right away, we know how to play with the squads we have and the people we have,” Westbrook said. “New guys are getting in here, so we have to do what we can. That is it. You just have to play hard and let the rest take care of themselves.”
Chicago led almost the entire first half and by about 10 points before leading 61-59 in the first half. The Lakers advanced 65-64 early in the third quarter on a pontoon by Isaiah Thomas.
The teams exchanged baskets and progressed through the remainder of the quarter before Los Angeles had an 84-83 advantage for fourth.
The Lakers extended the lead to 90-85 early in the final quarter on a three-point play by DeAndre Jordan, but soon after, DeRozan hit a bird-turned in the fairway to put the Bulls on top 94-93.
With Chicago advancing 99-96, Anthony made 3 consecutive throws (both James’ passes) to lead Los Angeles 102-99 5 minutes from the end. The match remained tight until DeRozan took charge of late.
“It’s absolutely amazing what he did when he missed games and had two days,” said Bulls coach Billy Donovan. “His toughness of mind and his competitive spirit are absolutely amazing. Just his ability to shoot when we needed buckets.”
in touch
Wiesdal said he wasn’t sure if Vogel was still in Chicago, but they reached out via text message at halftime and after the game.
late night
After he was cleared by the league, DeRozan went to the Bulls training facility at 1 a.m. to get some shots.
Hint
Lakers: F Trevor Ariza made his season debut after missing the first two months with a right ankle injury. The 17-year-old veteran finished with three points in 15 minutes off the bench… G Kendrick Nunn was cleared of HSE on Sunday, but remained sidelined with a contusion to his right knee.
Bulls: Donovan doesn’t expect any of the remaining players on COVID protocols to be back in the game before Christmas. Chicago plays on Mondays and Wednesdays and then stops until December 26th. Of those four, Donovan also said that only F. Troy Brown Jr. had any symptoms other than mild symptoms.
next one
Lakers: Hosted the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
Bulls: Host the Houston Rockets on Monday.