Global Courant 2023-04-13 16:13:38
Along the way, the Chicago Bulls didn’t have many fans in the stands at Scotiabank Arena when they faced the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night.
But one young fan wanted to do everything he could to make sure the Bulls had an advantage.
Diar DeRozan, the daughter of Bulls star DeMar DeRozan, strategically shouted down the court as the Raptors fired their free throws into play.
And those screams may have been the X factor the team needed to stage their stellar comeback in a 109-105 victory to secure the chance to play for the No. 8 seed in the East.
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DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls puts on his sneakers before the Raptors game on April 12, 2023 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images)
Whether you were in the arena or watching your television, Diar DeRozan’s screams could be heard clearly as the Raptors were about to shoot a free throw. And the statistics proved that her efforts did not go to waste.
The Raptors shot 18 of 36 from the free throw line, which you don’t want to see from the place known as the charity line. That 50% hurt them at the end of the night, especially in the game’s biggest moment.
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Pascal Siakam was fouled behind the three-point line by Alex Caruso, and while controversial, walked to the free throw line trailing by three points, 107-104, with a chance to tie the game.
Siakam hit his first free throw through DeRozan’s scream, but she was determined to keep going. Siakam missed his next two free throws and it seemed those cries were the loudest of the night.
DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against OG Anunoby of the Raptors during the Play-In Tournament at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2023 in Toronto. (Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)
Nikola Vucevic, on the other hand, would throw down his two free throws to freeze the game, and the Bulls became the first No. 10 to win a Play-In Tournament game.
They now head to Miami to face the No. 7 seed Heat for a shot at the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference for the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
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DeRozan was instrumental in the Bulls’ comeback in the fourth quarter, where they outscored the Raptors 37–24. At one point in this game, they trailed by 19 points.
DeRozan went 10-of-19 off the field for 23 points with seven rebounds and three assists, while Zach LaVine was the clear group MVP, forcing Chicago back into the game with his 39 points 12-of-22 from the field with 13-of-15 also made at the free throw line.
DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls hugs his daughter before the Raptors game on April 12, 2023 in Toronto. (Mark Binch/NBAE via Getty Images)
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But an MVP trophy may have to go to Diar DeRozan, who may need to give his vocal cords some rest after a hard night’s work from the stands.
