The resilient Chicago Bulls pulled off a significant victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, marking one of their most notable wins in recent times. Overcoming a 12-point deficit in the third quarter, the Bulls triumphed 114-106 at the Smoothie King Center on Sunday night, boosting their season record to 27-30.
This win was particularly uplifting for the Bulls, who have been grappling with a string of injuries. Shortly after Zach LaVine was sidelined for the rest of the season due to foot surgery, Patrick Williams also faced a season-ending foot surgery, while Torrey Craig’s absence for two to four weeks was prompted by a sprained knee.
Despite these setbacks, the Bulls showcased remarkable determination in defeating the Pelicans, with standout performances from DeMar DeRozan, who tallied 24 points, including crucial baskets during crunchtime, and Nikola Vucevic, who notched 22 points and 13 rebounds for his 500th career double-double.
Ayo Dosunmu contributed 21 points and eight assists in an impressive 39-minute display, while Coby White added 16 points, albeit on a less efficient shooting night.
Trailing in the third quarter, the Bulls staged a comeback as they responded with an 11-0 run after falling behind 82-70, ultimately closing the gap to 82-81. Their momentum carried into the fourth quarter, where they seized a 96-89 lead following an and-one play by Andre Drummond.
Although the Pelicans mounted a late surge, narrowing the deficit to two points at 108-106, DeRozan’s clutch offensive rebound and subsequent three-pointer extended the Bulls’ lead to 111-106 with just 30 seconds remaining. Crucial free throws from DeRozan and White secured the victory for Chicago.
DeRozan emphasized the Bulls’ resilience in the face of adversity, highlighting the team’s refusal to succumb to challenges. Despite injuries necessitating heavy minutes from remaining players, DeRozan emphasized the importance of maintaining mental toughness and avoiding excuses or complaints.
“It’s always easy when you have any type of adversity to fold, to make excuses, to give in, to pack it in, to whine, complain, you know,” DeRozan stated. “You don’t hear that from none of us. We just try to figure it out the best way we can.”
