All-Star Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan has had a scoring stretch that puts his name next to all-time scoring greats such as Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.
After a 38 point, 16-27 shooting performance in a Bulls 125-118 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, DeRozan broke Chamberlain’s record as the only player to score 35 points or more while shooting better than 50 percent in seven straight games.
DeMar DeRozan has broken Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most consecutive games with 35+ points on 50% or better shooting. pic.twitter.com/bmHRUg5tf2
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 17, 2022
During this historic streak, DeRozan averages 38.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 60.7 percent shooting in his last seven games. He also has an overall streak of scoring at least 30 points in eight consecutive games, which is the longest streak by a Chicago player since Michael Jordan in 1996.
The Monster of the Midrange.@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/jqQzXlN5q8
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 17, 2022
DeMar expressed his gratitude after the game via ESPN.
“Just to be in the record books along with staples of basketball history — [I’m] speechless,” DeRozan said following Wednesday’s game. “As a kid, as a fan of the history of the game, being in the League as long as I’ve been in the League, things like that continue to make me even more humble.
“It’s something I’ll never take for granted. And the crazy thing is, I feel like I missed eight easy shots I normally would have made. I felt like I had a bad shooting night, honestly.”
His scoring tear has not been in vain either. The Bulls are currently on a five-game winning streak, even without Zach LaVine, who had to see a specialist for his troublesome knee.
DeMar DeRozan gets a chance to extend the streak Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks. A win guarantees the Bulls at least a share of the number one seed going into the All-Star break.
