DeRozan makes history as first player to sink back-to-back winning buzzer-beaters

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Greatness was once again witnessed.

DeMar DeRozan is having one of the best seasons in his 13-year career in the NBA, becoming the first-ever player in the league to bury two consecutive buzzer-beating game-winners against the Indiana Pacers, 108-106, and the Washington Wizards, 120-119.

Down by one with 4.4 seconds left in their game against the Pacers, DeRozan took the ball, sized up his defender, and launched a one-legged trey that kissed the net of the ring just before the buzzer sounded.

DeRozan wasn’t done unleashing his magic and achieved the same feat after sinking the left-corner three-point shot off a pump fake against the Washington Wizards.

Kyle Kuzma and the Wizards looked to bring home the bacon and end Chicago’s six-game winning streak after converting a three-point shot with 3.3 seconds left, giving them the lead, 119-117.

DeRozan is having a majestic season with the Bulls, tallying the most fourth-quarter points in the NBA with 241.

Aside from his impressive fourth-quarter scoring, DeRozan is the second-ranked player in the most made field goals in the last minute of the fourth quarter and overtime with 10, behind Oklahoma City Thunders’ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 13.

DeRozan’s in-game heroics helped the Bulls take over the no.1 spot in the Eastern Conference with 24 wins and 10 losses.

Overall, the Bulls are sitting at the fourth spot in the NBA behind the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, and the Utah Jazz.