With 9 video games left within the common season, the Chicago Bulls had been pressured to ponder an unlikely query Friday night time: Can they deal with a closing push for the play-in match with out DeMar DeRozan?
DeRozan missed Friday’s recreation in opposition to the Portland Trail Blazers as he continues to wrestle with a proper quadriceps and hip damage.
The Bulls in the end fared simply positive with out their All-Star, delivering a 124-96 blowout to a Trail 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. But amid an in any other case uncompetitive night time of basketball, DeRozan’s damage stood out.
DeRozan acquired remedy in Portland on Thursday night time and put up pictures with teammates Friday morning. But his exercise was comparatively restricted, and coach Billy Donovan mentioned the ahead is questionable for the back-to-back video games Sunday and Monday in Los Angeles.
“I think he’s definitely feeling better,” Donovan mentioned. “But it is going to be cautious with him, just based on the history of what’s happened.”
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.
Despite 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 description of DeRozan’s damage has been considerably ambiguous over the past 4 months, starting from a bruised knee to a Grade 1 thigh pressure. In February, DeRozan mentioned he had “never felt nothing like this” and felt confused by the supply of the ache — or a potential resolution.
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 mentioned DeRozan’s ache stage was not as excessive because it had been in February. And after Wednesday’s recreation, Donovan mentioned he didn’t count on the ahead to overlook “any length of time.” But with solely 9 video games left — and a dramatic closing push crucial to carry a spot within the play-in match — each recreation with out DeRozan will really feel vital.
“I’m always concerned because he’s been dealing with it,” Donovan mentioned. “Most guys are not totally healthy this time of year but they’re on the court and able to work through it. I think for Alex (Caruso) and DeMar, they’re at a place where they physically can’t perform where they want to or need to for us.”
The path by the remainder of the West Coast journey might be equally easy for the Bulls as they face equally short-handed Lakers and Clippers lineups. But 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. But the ahead continues 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 stage out in March. Similar slippage within the closing 16 days of the season would place a heavier burden on LaVine to make up the distinction.
This would 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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Source: www.bostonherald.com