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Jamal CollierESPN
CHICAGO — Chicago BullsDeMar Derozan, All-Star forward and forward, continued to be on the offensive during the All-Star break. Wednesday’s victory over the 125-118 was a record setting performance for the NBA. Sacramento Kings.
DeRozan scored 38 on Wednesday’s 16-for-27 (59%) shot, which made him the first player to score 35 points and shoot better than 50% in seven consecutive games. DeRozan exceeded the mark set by Wilt ChamberlainHe had two streaks of six consecutive games, with the most recent one in 1963.
“Just to be in basketball history’s record books. [I’m]DeRozan stated that he was “speechless” after Wednesday’s game. “As an adult, as a player of the history of this game, being in it as long as I have, things like these continue to make my humble heart grow.”
“It’s something I will never take for granted. It’s crazy to think that I missed eight easy shots that I would have made. It was a terrible shooting night.
DeRozan may have gone 16-for-27 during his streak. His past seven games have seen him average 38.6 point, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. He has shot 60.7% in those three games.
DeRozan also scored at least 30 in eight consecutive Bulls games, which is the longest streak of a Bulls player since Michael Jordan’s 1996 season. DeRozan is tied for second with Philadelphia’s Joel EmbiidFor the longest streak of 30 points or more by a player in this season.
DeRozan responded to a question about his current scoring streak and how locked in it feels.
“I’ll be open with you, I can’t. It’s hard to describe,” he said. “It’s one the things that makes me feel totally locked in from the moment I get to work. Understanding this, I want to leave work feeling satisfied.
DeRozan’s heroics helped the Bulls win five straight games despite being beaten by fellow All-Stars Zach LaVineHe missed the last three games due to a left knee injury.
If the Bulls win Wednesday, they will be at least tied with the All Star break. Miami HeatFor the Eastern Conference’s top spot.
Bulls coach, Mike Bulls: “I am hopeful that we will get whole at some stage, I think it’d be nice to see what this bunch can do together.” Billy Donovan said. “I am very, very thankful and appreciative up until this point of the All-Star break — we’ve had some really nice moments and some not so good moments, which is typical for these guys – the manner these guys have continued fighting, regardless of whether it was a win, or a loss.”