INDIANAPOLIS — DeMar DeRozan scored 46 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime, to help the Chicago Bulls survive the Indiana Pacers 132-129 on Wednesday night.
The All-Star forward’s lone 3-pointer at 2:17 of overtime put the Bulls ahead 127-123. Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton missed a 3-point shot just before the final buzzer.
“It’s like survival mode comes into play, in a fun way,” DeRozan said. “You enjoy these moments. For me, I just enjoy these moments. I’m not afraid to fail. I’m not afraid to try to make things happen. I want these moments more than anything. It always reminds me of my childhood, being a kid and doing the little fake countdown, jumping on the bed, shooting.
The final 72 seconds of regulation were particularly entertaining as Pacers center Myles Turner made a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions with 1:12 and 56.7 seconds left for a 3-point lead. But DeRozan made a free throw and hit a baseline fadeaway jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining to force overtime.
“DeMar is incredibly close,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “Give him a lot of credit and respect for that.”
The Bulls were down by two when they put the ball in with 2.4 seconds remaining in regulation.
“I actually interrupted the game,” DeRozan said. “The game was for me to take the upper hand. But the teams do a great job researching and understanding what we’re going to race. As soon as they registered the ball, I honestly found an opening.
The teams exchanged the lead 12 times in the fourth.
“Our defense just wasn’t good enough,” Turner said. “DeRozan hit some big shots, special player. But overall, I don’t think we were there, just that last part. At this time of year, there are no excuses. You have to find a way to make it happen.
The Bulls’ Alex Caruso scored 23 and Ayo Dosunmu 20.
“What a game,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “So many ups and downs. We were on a rebound.
Turner led the Pacers with 27 points and five 3-pointers. Pascal Siakam scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Haliburton had 17 points and 14 assists.
“It’s a punch in the gut,” Carlisle said. “When you make minor mistakes at the wrong time, it can really bite you. There was a lot.
Pacers reserves TJ McConnell and Jalen Smith scored 16 and 15 as Indiana’s bench held a 47-16 advantage.
The Bulls outscored the Pacers 35-23 in the third quarter to take a 93-85 lead. Caruso contributed 14 points with four 3-pointers down the stretch. DeRozan added nine points.
The Pacers bench provided 11 points in a 15-1 run to build an eight-point lead midway through the second quarter. The advantage reached 11 before the Bulls closed the gap to 62-58 at the break.
FOLLOWING
Bulls: Host the LA Clippers on Thursday.
Pacers: Host Brooklyn on Saturday.
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