With 9 video games left within the common season, the Chicago Bulls had been pressured to ponder an unlikely query Friday evening: Can they deal with a last push for the play-in match with out DeMar DeRozan?
DeRozan missed Friday’s recreation in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers as he continues to battle with a proper quadriceps and hip damage.
The Bulls finally fared simply high-quality with out their All-Star, delivering a 124-96 blowout to a Path Blazers workforce taking part in with out Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkić. Zach LaVine made six 3-pointers and led the workforce with 33 factors whereas Nikola Vučević supported with 23 factors and 15 rebounds. However amid an in any other case uncompetitive evening of basketball, DeRozan’s damage stood out.
DeRozan obtained remedy in Portland on Thursday evening and put up photographs with teammates Friday morning. However his exercise was comparatively restricted, and coach Billy Donovan stated the ahead is questionable for the back-to-back video games Sunday and Monday in Los Angeles.
“I feel he’s positively feeling higher,” Donovan stated. “However it'll be cautious with him, simply primarily based on the historical past of what’s occurred.”
DeRozan has been bothered by the damage since mid-December, taking part in by it for 10 video games earlier than exiting the Jan. 11 matchup in opposition to the Boston Celtics. He appeared to return to full velocity solely to exit in opposition to the Orlando Magic on Feb. 13 and miss the ultimate two video games earlier than the All-Star break.
Regardless of insisting upon his return that he was again to 100%, DeRozan requested to go away Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers solely minutes into the third quarter.
The outline of DeRozan’s damage has been considerably ambiguous during the last 4 months, starting from a bruised knee to a Grade 1 thigh pressure. In February, DeRozan stated he had “by no means felt nothing like this” and felt confused by the supply of the ache — or a potential answer.
DeRozan declined to talk with media after Wednesday’s recreation and following the shootaround Friday in Portland. He initially was listed as questionable for the sport.
Donovan stated DeRozan’s ache degree was not as excessive because it had been in February. And after Wednesday’s recreation, Donovan stated he didn’t count on the ahead to overlook “any size of time.” However with solely 9 video games left — and a dramatic last push crucial to carry a spot within the play-in match — each recreation with out DeRozan will really feel important.
“I’m all the time involved as a result of he’s been coping with it,” Donovan stated. “Most guys will not be completely wholesome this time of yr however they’re on the court docket and in a position to work by it. I feel for Alex (Caruso) and DeMar, they’re at a spot the place they bodily can’t carry out the place they wish to or have to for us.”
The trail by the remainder of the West Coast journey could possibly be equally easy for the Bulls as they face equally short-handed Lakers and Clippers lineups. However DeRozan’s damage brings a broader uncertainty to the stretch run.
The Bulls are in tenth place within the East, 2½ video games forward of the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards. They path the No. 9 Toronto Raptors by a half-game and the No. 8 Atlanta Hawks by one recreation.
The Bulls have been much less reliant on DeRozan this season than final. However the ahead remains to be key to the Bulls offense, offering stability to the one-two punch alongside LaVine.
DeRozan’s manufacturing dipped in February as he handled the damage — logging 6.7 fewer factors per recreation in contrast together with his season common — however appeared to degree out in March. Related slippage within the last 16 days of the season would place a heavier burden on LaVine to make up the distinction.
This may solely add to the problem of the closing stretch for the Bulls, who have to go 6-3 over the ultimate 9 video games to complete .500.
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