DeMar DeRozan remains hopeful despite crushing loss to Sacramento Kings - "We've just got to keep pushing, keep fighting"
With just 14 more games remaining on the schedule, the Chicago Bulls are slowly running out of time. After losing a 117-114 nailbiter to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, the Bulls fell out of the 10th spot and are a half-game behind the Washington Wizards for the final play-in spot. Still, the team's veteran wingman DeMar DeRozan remains defiant and implores his teammates to keep grinding and fighting for the postseason.
"We've just got to keep pushing, keep fighting," DeRozan said. "We understand we've still got an opportunity. We're going to play this thing out until we can't no more and let the chips fall where they may."
Failed to finish it
The loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Bulls, especially after they ran off to a 16-point lead, 45-29, in the second quarter. However, there's a reason why the Kings are one of the best in the West, and they showed that in the second half. Thanks to a 37-22 outburst, the Kings erased the deficit and went to the fourth up by five points, setting the stage for Fox to take and make the game-winning three-pointer in the game's final moments.
"Tough. We've lost on a buzzer a couple of times," LaVine said. "You've got to beat a team like that."
Though the Bulls put up a fight down the stretch, they have nobody else but themselves to blame for being in that position.
"Played catch-up. Got the game tied — incredible shot by DeMar. But big-time shot by De'Aaron Fox, man. Contested three over two guys — you tip your hat to him. You just don't want to be in that position," LaVine added.
Learning experience
The Bulls' sophomore guard Ayo Dosumnu, who closed out the game in the absence of Alex Caruso, said they all have to play with a little more desperation, especially with their tough schedule ahead.
The Buls have a back-to-back set against Minnesota and Miami and then kick off next week with consecutive games against the Eastern Conference powerhouse Philadelphia 76ers.
"We've got to just do more," Dosunmu said. "We've got to just lock in more. Learn from it. With 14 games left, we've got to just take each possession like it's our last possession of the game. I feel like if we do that, we'll be good. We'll always have a chance to win."
