The Chicago Bulls orchestrated a resounding resurgence, claiming a pivotal 118-113 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks at the esteemed United Center this Tuesday.
Reeling from a disheartening 109-95 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in their preceding encounter, the Bulls heavily relied on pivotal contributions from DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso.
This victory marks their third win in the ongoing six-game home stand, elevating their season record to 14-18.
In the absence of Nikola Vucevic, sidelined due to an adductor injury, Andre Drummond, thrust into a starting role for the first time this season, demonstrated an impressive resurgence.
The towering 6-foot-10 center showcased his prowess, amassing 24 points and an astounding 25 rebounds, reminiscent of his All-Star caliber performances during his tenure in Detroit.
What Drummond initiated, DeRozan and Caruso masterfully concluded, with the latter sinking a crucial three-pointer, propelling the Bulls ahead at 109-106 with 3:57 remaining on the clock.
In subsequent plays, DeRozan exhibited his clutch prowess, converting two consecutive jumpers, securing a 113-110 lead for the Bulls with less than two minutes on the game clock.
Despite Trae Young’s charitable contribution at the free-throw line, narrowing the gap to 113-111, DeRozan swiftly retaliated with a resilient finger roll, navigating through Jalen Johnson’s defensive efforts with a sophisticated shimmy and up-and-under combination, extending Chicago’s lead to 115-111.
This recent victory adds to the Bulls’ impressive tally, with nine wins in their last 13 outings. DeRozan, the linchpin of their success, notched up 25 points, 11 of which were pivotal in the fourth quarter.
Coby White, on the other hand, faced another challenging night, missing all seven of his three-point attempts but managing to conclude with 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
The backup guard, Ayo Dosunmu, showcased his prowess with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Alex Caruso contributed 11 points, while Jevon Carter added 10 to the winning effort.