DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls (Getty Images via AFP)
WASHINGTON – Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan became the first NBA player to sink game-winning buzzer beaters on back-to-back nights Saturday while Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a triple double in the reigning champions’ victory.
DeRozan’s three-pointer from the left corner at the final horn gave the Bulls a 120-119 victory at Washington and completed a 28-point performance.
“I don’t know if I’m dreaming or if it’s real right now,” DeRozan said. “Willing to step up whenever that moment is called for and to be ready for it, that’s all I can do.”
The Bulls stretched their win streak to seven games while Milwaukee’s grew to six in a row as Antetokounmpo powered the host Bucks over New Orleans 136-113.
NBA overall leader Golden State beat Utah 123-116, snapping a six-game Jazz win streak, but the talk was all about DeRozan.
“Dude is incredible,” Chicago’s Zach LaVine said of DeRozan after scoring a game-high 35 points. “I can’t say much more than that.”
DeRozan, whose game-ending three-pointer Friday lifted Chicago over Indiana, made two free throws with 49 seconds remaining. But Kyle Kuzma’s three-pointer with four seconds remaining gave the Wizards a 119-117 advantage, setting the stage for DeRozan’s closing heroics.
“DeMar’s shot again was unbelievable,” Bulls acting coach Chris Fleming said. “He had the presence of mind to look down and find out where his feet were to make that shot. Incredible shot.”
No other player has made back-to-back game-winning shots on consecutive nights. He became the first to manage the feat in consecutive games since 1985 by Boston’s Larry Bird, who had an off day between triumphs.
DeRozan, the NBA’s top fourth-quarter scorer, is hitting a career-high 37.3 percent from three-point range this season.
Giannis triple double!
Greek star Antetokounmpo scored 35 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and passed off 10 assists for his second triple double of the season and the 27th of his career.
“I try to stay aggressive the whole game,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m at my best when I’m aggressive. I can create open shots.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks (Getty Images via AFP)
Antetokounmpo hit 12-of-18 from the floor and 9-of-12 from the free throw line. He moved one shy of NBA legend Michael Jordan’s career triple double total.
“I’m so locked in and focused on what we’ve got to do, those moments go — not unnoticed, it’s a great compliment to be mentioned with those guys — but you just brush it off,” Antetokounmpo said.
“As I get older, I’ve got to live in the moment and enjoy this moment. I’ve got 27 triple doubles. It’s insane.”
Milwaukee improved to 25-13, third in the Eastern Conference behind Brooklyn and Chicago, while the Pelicans fell to 13-23.
It was the 400th career NBA victory for Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer.
Warriors, Nuggets, Clippers, Pistons win
At Utah, Stephen Curry scored 28 points, Andrew Wiggins added 25 and Otto Porter netted 20 to lead Golden State (28-7) over the Jazz, who fell to 26-10, still third in the league.
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz during the second half of a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 01, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Getty Images via AFP)
Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead Denver to a 124-111 victory at Houston while Eric Bledsoe scored 27 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers over host Brooklyn 120-116.
James Harden had a triple double for Brooklyn with 34 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists while Kevin Durant added 28 points for the Nets.
At Detroit, Saddiq Bey sank a three-pointer with 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime to give the host Pistons a 117-116 victory over San Antonio.
Hamidou Diallo of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball against Jakob Poeltl of the San Antonio Spurs during the overtime at Little Caesars Arena on January 01, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Getty Images via AFP)
The Dallas Mavericks said All-Star guard Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber have cleared NBA Covid-19 health and safety protocols and could return Sunday.
The team went 5-5 without Doncic, who is averaging 25.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists a game. Doncic hurt his ankle last month and was set to return when he entered Covid protocol.
Oklahoma City will play Dallas on Sunday without star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who entered Covid-19 protocols Saturday.