Gallinari Shines, But DeRozan’s Heroics Secure Bulls victory
Danilo Gallinari delivered his best performance of the season, erupting for 26 points against the Chicago Bulls. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the unstoppable force that is DeMar DeRozan, who continued his post-All Star Game dominance with a 37-point masterpiece, leading the Bulls to a thrilling 112-108 victory.
Gallinari, filling in for the injured John Collins (out for his fourth consecutive game with a right foot issue), showcased his offensive prowess in the fourth quarter, scoring half of his total points in that period. Alongside Bogdan bogdanovic, who also had a stellar night with 27 points, gallinari transformed into Atlanta’s primary weapon. The duo’s scoring barrage kept the Hawks in the game, despite Trae Young’s uncharacteristically quiet night (14 points, 10 assists, but a dismal 3-for-17 shooting).
“Both Gallinari and Bogdanovic where scoring at will, so we tried to exploit those matchups,” explained Hawks coach Nate McMillan. However, he admitted that the team’s late-game strategy shifted away from the hot hands, stating, “We thought we had more favorable offensive pairings and tried to exploit those.”
Simultaneously occurring, DeRozan continued his remarkable run, extending his streak of 35+ point games to eight, a feat only achieved by Michael Jordan in Bulls history. His clutch performance in the final minute, scoring five consecutive points to erase a three-point deficit, highlighted his unwavering composure under pressure.
“you love and hate situations like this,” DeRozan reflected. “You don’t want to be down and feel the pressure of having to make a basket, but when you’re in those moments, you know you have to play. I love challenges, I love the opportunity to be decisive.”
Chicago coach Billy Donovan lauded DeRozan’s impact, stating, “It’s spectacular because you always know he’s going to make the right play. He’s been playing amazingly all year.”
The Bulls’ victory was a true team effort, with Zach lavine contributing 20 points and newcomer Tristan Thompson making an immediate impact off the bench with 11 points and 6 rebounds.
“I’ve played against him for years, I know how much he can give us,” DeRozan welcomed Thompson to the team.
The game remained tightly contested throughout, with DeRozan scoring 16 of Chicago’s 24 first-quarter points. Despite his efforts, the Hawks kept pace, leading to a 52-50 halftime score and an 82-82 tie entering the fourth quarter.
Gallinari’s offensive explosion in the final period gave Atlanta a brief lead, but the Bulls’ defence tightened down the stretch, ultimately securing the win on DeRozan’s clutch three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining.
Final Score:
Chicago Bulls: 112
Atlanta hawks: 108
Key Performers:
Chicago: DeRozan (37 points), LaVine (20 points), Vucevic (12 points, 10 rebounds)
Atlanta: Gallinari (26 points, 9 rebounds), Bogdanovic (27 points), Young (14 points, 10 assists)
