Phillies urged to move on from $1.1 million six-year veteran
DeMar DeRozan’s mid-range masterclass helps Bulls level series vs. Bucks
While one MVP favorite was hitting game-winners in Toronto, another player who probably should be getting talked about more in the MVP conversation went about his business in an old-school way on Wednesday night.
DeMar DeRozan put in a retro performance for the Bulls, finishing with a playoff career-high 41-points without making a 3-pointer, to help Chicago tie their playoff series against the Bucks at 1-1.
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After shooting just 6-of-25 in the Bulls’ Game 1 loss, DeRozan vowed that he wouldn’t have a repeat performance of that, and he didn’t.
DeRozan scored his 41 on 16-of-31 shooting from the field and pulled down seven rebounds to go with his four assists, two blocks and one steal.
He was aggressive all evening, going for 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field with Giannis Antetokounmpo – a former Defensive Player of the Year and two-time MVP – as his primary defender.
It was a vintage performance from a player who rarely takes 3-pointers, and has mastered the mid-range game.
“I’m trying to master it,” DeRozan told Inside the NBA post-game. “I’m trying to keep the 2-point alive.”
DeRozan also added his name to the Chicago record books, becoming just the fifth Bulls player in history to record a 40-point game in the playoffs. The other four? Some guy called Michael Jordan who did it 38 times, Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon and Flynn Robinson (1 each).
Bulls players with 40+ points in a playoff game:
Michael Jordan (38)
Derrick Rose (1)
Ben Gordon (1)
Flynn Robinson (1)And now, DeMar DeRozan. pic.twitter.com/A4xzJfuR1n
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 21, 2022
It was the first 40-point game by a Bulls player since 2011 (Derrick Rose) – before that, it hadn’t been done since Jordan in the ’98 NBA Finals.
DeRozan’s performance drew praise around the social media sphere as players – past and present – congratulated the Compton, CA native on his performance.
@DeMar_DeRozan boyyyyy you cold!!!! 😤
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) April 21, 2022
Demar going crazy
— Tre Jones (@Tre3Jones) April 21, 2022
Tufff
— Reggie Bullock (@ReggieBullock35) April 21, 2022
The series now shifts to Chicago for Games 3 and 4. With the Bucks holding homecourt advantage Game 5 and if required, a Game 7 will be in Milwaukee.
(All times Eastern)
Date | Game | Location | Time (ET) | TV channel (US) |
April 22 | Game 3 | United Center | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
April 24 | Game 4 | United Center | 1 p.m. | ABC |
April 27 | Game 5 | Fiserv Forum | TBD | TBD |
April 29 | Game 6* | United Center | TBD | TBD |
May 1 | Game 7* | Fiserv Forum | TBD | TBD |
*if necessary