Lakers: F Trevor Ariza made his season debut after sitting out the first two months with a right ankle injury. Just his shot-making ability when we needed buckets.”įizdale said he wasn't sure if Vogel was still in Chicago, but the two communicated via text at halftime and after the game.Īfter being cleared by the league, DeRozan went to the Bulls' training facility at 1 a.m. "His mental toughness and his competitive spirit are pretty amazing. “Just pretty amazing what he did being out, missing games and having two days," Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. The game remained tight until DeRozan took over late. With Chicago up 99-96, Anthony nailed back-to-back 3-pointers (both on passes from James) for a 102-99 Los Angeles lead with 5 minutes to go. The Lakers stretched the lead to 90-85 early in the final quarter on a three-point play by DeAndre Jordan, but a short while later DeRozan hit a turnaround jumper in the lane to put the Bulls on top 94-93. The teams traded baskets and leads for the remainder of the quarter before Los Angeles took an 84-83 advantage into the fourth. The Lakers went ahead 65-64 early in the third quarter on a floater by Isaiah Thomas. You’ve just got to play hard and let the rest take care of itself.”Ĭhicago led nearly the entire first half and by as much as 10 points before taking a 61-59 halftime lead. "New guys are stepping in here, so we’ve got to do what we can. “Obviously we’re doing things on the fly, figuring out how to play with the lineups we have and the people we have available," Westbrook said. It also was Los Angeles' first game since forward Anthony Davis sprained his left knee on Friday. Dwight Howard, Malik Monk and Austin Reaves - and coach Frank Vogel in the health and safety protocols.Īssistant David Fizdale served as coach on Sunday. That number is down to four right now, including All-Star Zach LaVine.Īlthough the Lakers haven't had any games postponed, they currently have six players - Kent Bazemore, Avery Bradley, Talen Horton-Tucker. You’ve got to take the good with the bad, and I’m willing to take both.”īefore having two games postponed last week because of a COVID-19 outbreak, the Bulls had 10 players in the health and safety protocols. It’s an adrenaline rush that you can’t duplicate, so you try to make the most of it every time you’re put in that position. “It’s an honor to be trusted in those moments," he said. Like much of the first two months of the season, the Bulls turned to DeRozan in crunch time and he delivered. DeRozan then hit both free throws for a 113-110 edge. Following a Lakers miss, DeRozan missed a shot but then was fouled with 15.6 seconds left after Ball grabbed the offensive rebound. But, in the end, they would finish the playoffs 15-2, effectively beaten by one shot in each of the two losses by a combined four points from an undefeated playoff run.With the Bulls trailing by a point in the final minute, DeRozan hit an 18-footer for a 111-110 lead with 52 seconds remaining. Perhaps because of the obstacles ahead and the magnitude of the competition, it never occurred to the Bulls how historic their run was. So long in the making, it seemed to be happening with breathtaking speed. And then the Finals was almost over, two Lakers starters were out for the eventual clinching Game 5, and the Bulls were on the brink of that championship. And then, inconceivably quickly, that series was over and here were the Bulls in the NBA Finals against Magic Johnson and the historic Los Angeles Lakers. After losing in the playoffs three consecutive seasons to the Detroit Pistons, the 1990-91 season was all about beating the Pistons. Tuesday's game is that long dreamed about moment that, at times, seemed never would come-the first NBA championship for Michael Jordan and the Bulls franchise. ![]() ![]() Sam Smith will also provide commentary here on about each of the games.
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