DeMar DeRozan, again: Pacers fail to slow him down, lose to Bulls in first OT game this season
The Chicago Bulls ended the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters with buckets and needed 46 points from DeMar DeRozan to win for the second time this season in Indiana.
The Indiana Pacers were in a good position, ready to close out the Chicago Bulls with 5.5 seconds left. They led by three points and elected to foul — something they look to do and I’m firmly on #TeamFoulUpThree — to send DeMar DeRozan to the foul line.
The 6-foot-6 forward gave the Pacers fits all night, like he so often does against the Blue & Gold. He’s scored at least 20 points in all three meetings against them this season.
We all remember his game-winner at Gainbridge Fieldhouse two years ago and he did something even more spectacular on Thursday night. Because, as he acknowledged, it was one of those games where everything had to align for the Bulls to have a chance.
A take foul on Aaron Nesmith was his sixth so he was done with 3.8 seconds left.
DeRozan made the first free throw to make it a two-point game.
He then missed the second free throw on purpose.
Instead of grabbing it, Pacers forward Obi Toppin tipped it out — all the way to the near sideline.
Alex Caruso then inbounded it to DeRozan, who broke away from the original play call and nailed a 17-foot fadeaway from the right corner to force overtime.
Myles Turner was fouled on the Pacers’ first possession of OT and missed both foul shots after being 4 for 4 in regulation.
DeRozan scored the Bulls’ first eight points in overtime to put them ahead for good. Then, Pascal Siakam started picking him up full court and the Pacers doubled. But it was too late.
The Pacers still had one more opportunity after a DeRozan missed a free throw. They chose not to use their final timeout, instead playing randomly (per usual) and Tyrese Haliburton double-clutched on his 3-point attempt from the right arc with Caruso contesting.
Ball game.
A frustrated Haliburton quickly made his way back to the locker room while DeRozan was surrounded by teammates to celebrate his spectacular performance in the win.
Instead of their fourth win in five games, including on consecutive nights, the Pacers (37-30) suffered a loss that may be costly now in the final month of the regular season. They're seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.
“So many ups and downs,” head coach Rick Carlisle said following the 132-129 loss. “We were one rebound away.