Shooting Forward DeMar DeRozan was the outstanding performer on Monday’s game for the Bulls over the TrailBlazers. DeRozan racked up 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists as the Chicago Bulls(34-35) where victorious over the Portland Trail Blazers (19-50) 110-107 at home at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls came into this game with mixed results with only two wins in their last five games, coming into this game with the second of those two wins after coming out on top against the Wizards 127-98 at home. The Trail Blazers also came into this match-up with a similar record of mixed results with two wins in their last five games, coming into this game low in confidence after a loss against the Pelicans 126-107 away from home at Smoothie King Center.
The last time these teams faced each other was earlier in the season on January 28th at home, where the Bulls were victorious 104-96. The main performer of that game was Portland’s Shooting Forward Jerami Grant who put in 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. The Chicago Bulls hoped for a similar result this time around, and were once again victorious.
First half was a good one for the Bulls in a tight affair
The first half was a hard-fought one for the Bulls but did enough offensively to lead. They ended the first quarter down up by two points 29-27 with Center Nikola Vucevic and DeRozan leading the way with 9 points plus 2 rebounds and 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists respectively. While for the Trail Blazers Center Deandre Ayton and Shooting Guard Anfernee Simons were the main man on the court during that quarter with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assists and 7 points plus 3 assists respectively.
The second quarter then seemed to be a even tighter affair as the quarter ended 25-22, but with the Bulls once again being in the lead with the half ending 54-49. For the Bulls, Shooting Guard Ayo Dosunmu showed up big while DeRozan continued to shine as they put in 8 points and 2 assists and 8 points and 3 assists respectively, but for the Trail Blazers it was once again Ayton and Simons putting in the work as they put in 7 points and 5 rebounds and 7 points and 2 assists respectively.
Bulls did enough and won the game
The third quarter proved to be the nail in the coffin as a once 5-point lead of 54-49 that kept Portland in the running for a comeback disappeared as the third quarter ended 35-26 and the overall score of 89-75 which gave comfort to the Bulls loyal. Dosunmu once again showed up for the Bulls in the third quarter as he put in 9 points and 5 assists, while for the Trail Blazers it was Ayton who although with the game falling from his team’s grasp he kept fighting putting in 8 points and 3 rebounds. The fourth then ended with the Bulls almost dropping the game dramatically and tragically as the fourth quarter finished 32-21 and at one point the overall score was 105-102 in favor of Portland, but DeRozan took care of bussiness and Ayton amazing performance wasn’t enough as the Bulls were victorius 110-107.
Star of the Game
The “Star of the Game” was the Bulls Shooting Forward DeMar DeRozan. The USC Trojan product was the best player on the court by far putting up 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists as the Bulls triumphed over the Trail Blazers. DeRozan’s good form is proving to be fruitful and joyous for the Bulls and the city of Chicago.
What’s Next?
The Bulls will look to continue this good form as they play the Houston Rockets away from home at Toyota Center tonight on Thursday, Mar 21, at 8:00 p.m. EST.
