DeMar DeRozan is on a legendary stretch right now. A Michael Jordan-esque stretch, to be exact.
DeRozan became the first Bulls player since Air Jordan to post four consecutive games with at least 35 points on Friday, pouring in 35 to help carry Chicago to a 134-122 win over Minnesota. Jordan did it for the last time in 1996.
The performance comes after a legendary week-long stretch for the 32-year-old. Last Sunday, he scored 45 in a loss to the 76ers. A day later, he scored 38 points as the Bulls lost to the Suns. Then on Wednesday, he dropped 36 to lead a win over the Hornets.
On Friday, DeRozan kept up the pace. His 35 points led all scorers, and he shot an efficient 14-for-22 from the field. He didn’t connect on his one three-point attempt, but he was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. He also pulled down six rebounds and dished out six assists.
DeRozan has experienced tremendous success over his first season with the Bulls. He’s averaging 27. 4 points per game — good for fourth among qualified players — in addition to 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per contest.
That scoring mark is just a hair over his previous career high of 27.3, which he set in 2016-17 with the Raptors. DeRozan played the first nine years of his career in Toronto before ultimately being traded to San Antonio in a deal for Kawhi Leonard. After three seasons with the Spurs, he signed a three-year, $82 million contract with the Bulls this past summer.
The deal has been worth every penny, as the Bulls currently sit tied for second in the Eastern Conference and appear to be legitimate contenders for the title anchored by DeRozan’s success. He’ll continue to be rewarded for his performance next weekend, when he will start the All-Star Game for Team LeBron, his fifth appearance in the annual exhibition.
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