DeMar DeRozan carved up Brooklyn’s defense for 34 points on 13-of-21 shooting, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 118-108 victory over the Nets at United Center that could prove pivotal in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Bulls (28-26) snapped a three-game losing streak and moved within 1.5 games of the sixth-seeded Nets (30-25) in a tightly bunched East standings where four teams separate sixth place from the play-in tournament.
DeRozan Dominates Fourth Quarter
DeRozan took control in the final frame, scoring 12 of his 34 points over the last 7:42 to help Chicago pull away from what had been a back-and-forth affair. The 34-year-old veteran went 6-for-8 from the field in the fourth quarter, including a stepback jumper over Dorian Finney-Smith with 2:17 remaining that gave the Bulls a 112-103 lead.
“DeMar was just being DeMar,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “When we needed a bucket, he found a way to get one.”
Nikola Vucevic added 22 points and 11 rebounds for his 31st double-double of the season, while Zach LaVine contributed 19 points despite shooting just 7-for-18 from the field. The Bulls shot 48.9% overall and outrebounded Brooklyn 47-38.
Nets’ Big Three Shows Cracks
Brooklyn’s star trio of Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton combined for 68 points, but the supporting cast struggled mightily. The Nets’ bench managed just 15 points, with Dennis Smith Jr. going scoreless in 18 minutes off the pine.
Bridges led Brooklyn with 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting, but the former Suns forward committed five turnovers as Chicago’s defense forced 18 total Brooklyn miscues. Thomas added 24 points but needed 21 shots to get there, while Claxton posted 16 points and 12 rebounds.
“We can’t turn the ball over 18 times and expect to win on the road,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said. “Chicago made us pay for our mistakes.”
Playoff Picture Implications
The victory keeps Chicago’s playoff hopes alive as the Bulls try to avoid the play-in tournament for the second straight season. With 28 games remaining, they trail Miami by two games for the final guaranteed playoff spot but now hold the tiebreaker over Brooklyn after splitting their season series.
The Nets entered the night winners of five of their last seven games but couldn’t match Chicago’s energy in a hostile United Center environment. Brooklyn shot just 42.7% from the field and went 8-for-31 from three-point range.
Chicago’s bench outscored Brooklyn’s reserves 31-15, with Coby White chipping in 14 points and six assists in 28 minutes. The Bulls also dominated points in the paint 56-42, repeatedly attacking Brooklyn’s interior defense.
Key Sequence Swings Momentum
The game’s turning point came midway through the third quarter when Chicago used a 14-4 run to turn a 75-74 deficit into an 88-79 lead. DeRozan scored eight points during the surge, including consecutive mid-range jumpers that showcased the footwork and fadeaway ability that have made him one of the league’s most reliable scorers.
Brooklyn never recovered from that punch, managing to cut the lead to five points twice in the fourth quarter but unable to complete the comeback. The Nets shot just 6-for-19 in the final period while committing six turnovers.
The Bulls return to action Thursday when they host the Atlanta Hawks, while Brooklyn begins a four-game homestand Friday against the Detroit Pistons.
