Kings look to cool off DeMar DeRozan and Bulls

Chicago TV analyst Stacey King delights in calling Bulls All-Star DeMar DeRozan «DeMarvelous» when Chicago’s leading scorer does something spectacular.

While the nickname might lack staying power among the greats of NBA lore, DeRozan’s recent play at least has vaulted him into a comparison with Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain.

You know, «The Stilt.»

DeRozan will enter Wednesday’s visit from the Sacramento Kings on a streak of six straight games with at least 35 points on 50 percent shooting or better, joining Chamberlain as the lone players in league history to accomplish the feat.

DeRozan has finished at 50, 59.3, 60, 63.6, 66.7 and 68.4 percent from the floor during the stretch. During Monday’s 120-109 win against the San Antonio Spurs, Chicago’s fourth victory in a row, DeRozan closed the game on a 15-for-18 tear en route to 40 points.

«The thing that’s so impressive is the efficiency with which he’s doing it,» Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. «His shooting percentages are mind-boggling.»

Overall, DeRozan is on a career-best run of seven successive games of at least 30 points. Should he fall short of extending this stretch, the veteran who leads the league with 431 fourth-quarter points seemingly won’t sulk.

Addressing the double-teams he encountered from the Spurs down the stretch, DeRozan smiled, knowing it freed teammates such as Nikola Vucevic (25 points, 16 rebounds) and Coby White (24 points).

«To be honest, I love getting hot just for the simple fact of I don’t have to keep shooting. I can draw the attention and get other guys shots,» DeRozan said. «Be aggressive. Score. Whether it’s getting to the free-throw line or getting to my spot, make the defense make a decision. And from there, I can pick them apart with the passing.»

The new-look Kings, who last week added longtime Bulls adversary Domantas Sabonis in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, are coming off Monday’s 109-85 road loss to the Brooklyn Nets, which snapped a two-game winning streak.

Sacramento continued to play much of its offense through the versatile Sabonis, who had nine points, nine rebounds and two assists but was unable to establish consistency against a Nets team that welcomed numerous new acquisitions.

De’Aaron Fox scored 26 points on 9-for-18 shooting to spark a Kings attack that shot just 34.4 percent from the field overall, including 25.7 percent from deep, with 18 turnovers.

«Our offense killed us,» Fox said. «Almost 20 turnovers and shooting 34 percent. You’re probably not winning any games in the NBA when our offense is like that.»

Kings coach Alvin Gentry said he expects the trend to reverse against the Bulls as the teams close the pre-All-Star break portion of the schedule.

«I think you’ll see us come out in the Chicago game and play with much more energy,» Gentry said.

Sabonis averaged 19.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists against the Bulls in three games with the Pacers this season.

Chicago leads the all-time series with Sacramento 83-81. Bulls All-star Zach LaVine will miss his third straight game due to left-knee soreness, Donovan said Monday.

–Field Level Media