The NBA resumed normal operations after the All-Star weekend – not without protests against the war in Ukraine. DeMar DeRozan continues to shine on the court.
Best Man on the Field in Chicago: DeMar DeRozan.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
DeMar DeRozan has continued his record streak. In the 112:108 (52:50) home win of his Chicago Bulls against the Atlanta Hawks, the All-Star scored 37 points and hit 15 of his 21 throws from the field. The winger has scored at least 35 points and converted at least 50 percent of his throws from the field in the past eight games.
In addition, DeRozan now has 30-plus points in nine straight games, the longest streak by a Bulls player since a certain Michael Jordan, who once tucked 30-plus points in ten straight games around the turn of the year 1990-91.
DeRozan was also the man of the match at crunch time. He scored five points in the last minute and turned the tables after a three-point lead for the Hawks, where Trae Young hit just three of his 17 throws. With their sixth consecutive win, the Bulls remain the best team in the Eastern Conference, just ahead of the game-free Miami Heat.
Short assignment for Theis – Booker leads Suns to the next success
Returnee Daniel Theis celebrated a victory in the first game after the break with the Boston Celtics – a clear 129:106 (67:52) with the Brooklyn Nets, who are still struggling. It was the tenth win in the past eleven games for the Celts, for whom Theis scored four points in six minutes. The best points collector in Boston was Jayson Tatum with 30 points.
In the west, the top teams won their games. The Phoenix Suns (49:10) also won without the injured strategist Chris Paul with 124:104 at the Oklahoma City Thunder (Devin Booker with 25 points), the Golden State Warriors (43:17) triumphed at the Portland Trail Blazers with 132 :95. “Splash Brothers” Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson each scored 18 points for the “dubs.”
“Great tragedy”: Ukrainian NBA pros condemn war in homeland
Meanwhile, Ukrainian NBA pros Alex Len and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk have issued a joint statement condemning Russia’s invasion of their home country. “A great tragedy has happened in our beloved homeland of Ukraine,” the statement said, which the two published on their social media channels: “We categorically condemn war.”
Len of the Sacramento Kings and Mychailiuk of the Toronto Raptors emphasized that Ukraine is “a peaceful sovereign state inhabited by people who want to determine their own destiny. We pray for our families, friends, relatives and all people , which are located on the territory of Ukraine.”
Listen to the whole episode “Icing the kicker” now:
February 24, 202201:06:39 hours
ITK #7: This is how the NFL Germany game works in Munich
It’s going to be a big party! In autumn, the NFL is hosting its first regular season game in Germany in Munich. What is the status of the preparation? Which NFL team is hosting in Munich? How are the tickets going? Alexander Steinforth, the new boss of the NFL in Germany, answers questions in this episode of the “Icing the kicker” podcast in cooperation between the kicker and the Footballerei. In addition, Shuan, Detti, Mario and Kucze reveal their personal favorites which NFL franchise could be the surprise team in the 2022 season. Much like the Cincinnati Bengals did last season. The next episode of “Icing the kicker” will be available on March 10th. Photo Credit: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
