© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
DeMar DeRozan scores 46 as the Chicago Bulls outlast the Indiana Pacers in overtime, 132-129
DeMar DeRozan added another chapter to his impressive late-season barrage, pouring in 46 points, including a difficult jumper that sent the game to overtime, where the Chicago Bulls prevailed, 132-129, over the Indiana Pacers.
It was a crucial victory for the Bulls as it helped them elevate their record to 32-34 and raise their chances of nabbing a higher seed in the Play-In Tournament. On the other hand, the loss was bitter for Indiana as it dropped them from sixth—and an outright berth in the NBA Playoffs—to seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.
Endgame heroics
Despite leading by eight, 93-85, at the start of the fourth, the Bulls were on the verge of losing as they trailed 115-112 after back-to-back triples by Pacers big man Myles Turner.
However, DeRozan answered with a tough layup to trim the deficit to one. Chicago had a chance to retake the lead as Coby White grabbed the loose ball and zoomed upcourt. But Indiana forward kept in step and blocked White’s layup from behind with only 5.5 seconds remaining.
Two free throws by Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith put them up by three, 117-114, but DeRozan was fouled and made the first before missing the second. Fortunately, Obi Toppin last touched the ball, giving possession back to Chicago with 2.1 seconds left. Deebo then received the ball at the baseline, rose up, and sank a tough fallaway jumper to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Finished it in overtime
DeRozan was not yet finished and scored the Bulls’ first eight points in overtime, including a three-pointer that put them ahead for good, 125-123. Nikola Vucevic, Ayo Dosunmu, and Torrey Craig scored crucial buckets down the stretch to preserve the win for Chicago.
Caruso scored 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and made seven assists, while Dosunmu added 20 points, four boards, three dimes, and two blocks.
