The winner of Saturday’s game against the Wizards came from a corner three when time expired, which in turn made history as DeRozan is the first player in league history to hit game winners on consecutive nights.
DeMar DeRozan is the first player to hit a buzzer in consecutive games since the start of the play-by-play era (1997-98). @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/CautX7IIEv
– NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) January 2, 2023
After the game, DeRozan said he still found it very surreal. “I don’t know if I’m dreaming or if it’s real right now.” he said.
DEMAR DEROZAN IS UNREAL.@DeMar_DeRozan | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/CM1k7yQVy1
– Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 2, 2023
He beat the Pacers with a late-game winner on December 31 and followed up with a last-second triple to beat the Wizards.
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On Friday against Indiana, DeRozan secured victory for the Bulls with a circus shot to the leg that rang the bell. DeRozan, trailing by three points with 36 seconds to go, came up with a big offensive rebound and downed a jump shot to bring the Bulls closer to one.
The Pacers spoiled their subsequent possession and the Bulls had another chance to seal the W, which DeRozan did not allow to go to waste.
LOOKING AT THIS OVER AND AGAIN
WINNER OF THE GAME DEMAR DEROZAN@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/nd7NcXDkvq– Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 31, 2023
It was only the second game he won a game in DeRozan’s career and the first since January 2013. The last Bull to hit a buzzer-hitting game was Jimmy Butler in December 2016.
“I firmly believe that as long as I have time, I will have a chance,” DeRozan said after the Pacers’ victory. “I always take that approach in a game.
With the win over the Wizards, the Bulls won their seventh straight game and now rank solely at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, one game ahead of Brooklyn and Milwaukee.
DeRozan, who is enjoying a career resurgence this season, finished with 28 points (10 of 22 shooting from the field), nine rebounds and five assists. His season average of 26.8 points and 9.6 shots from the field is the highest since the 2016-17 season (27.3 and 9.7).
DeRozan also leads the NBA in points per game in the fourth quarter, with a total of 241 points in 30 games so far.