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Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan said he felt “as free as a bird” as he returned from isolation with a star turn against the Los Angeles Lakers.
DeRozan had not played in over two weeks after entering the NBA’s health and safety protocols amid a COVID-19 outbreak within the Bulls’ camp.
He was one of 10 Chicago players to have to quarantine, though did not suffer any symptoms, and he marked his comeback in emphatic style on Sunday.
DeRozan had 38 points, including decisive free throws inside the last 20 seconds, four rebounds and six assists as Chicago claimed a 115-110 win.
He leads the way for the Bulls on points per game (26.8) this season and despite his stint in quarantine, only Zach LaVine (703) has scored more points for Chicago so far in 2021-22 than DeRozan (671).
DeRozan is also averaging 8.2 points per game in the fourth quarter this season, the most in the league.
“I felt free as a bird,” DeRozan told reporters, as quoted by ESPN.
“Just getting out there, being with those guys, being in front of the fans. Just getting out the basement I was in for 10 days.”
Bulls coach Billy Donovan was hugely impressed.
“When the ball is in his hands, there’s just a calmness to him,” Donovan said.
“He doesn’t get rattled. He’s been in so many of these moments throughout his life and his career. I think things slowed down for him.
“He knows exactly what he has to get done, what needs to get done and he finds ways to just stay totally locked in. It’s really an incredible gift that he has.”
Indeed, Carmelo Anthony, who had 21 points for the Lakers, acknowledged DeRozan was at the top of his game.
“The fact that he utilizes the midrange, a lot of people want to kind of discredit that part of the game, but I think that’s a lost art,” the Lakers forward said.
“DeMar is one of the guys who’s mastered that. And at the end of the game, when you gotta down, and you gotta run something, threes are not falling, you gotta get to that. He mastered that.
“He mastered his spots on the court. I think that’s why he’s very efficient, especially this season, in the fourth quarter, specifically down the stretch.”
The victory moved the Bulls to 18-10 for the season, with Chicago well placed in second in the Eastern Conference behind the Brooklyn Nets.
