DeMar DeRozan hits 3 at buzzer, Bulls beat Pacers 108-106

Updated Dec. 31, 2021 5:46 p.m. ET

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — DeMar DeRozan made a 28-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Chicago Bulls a 108-106 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, hitting 8 of 24 shots and 11 of 12 free throws. Coby White added 24 points, and Zach LaVine had 17 to help Chicago win its sixth consecutive game.

Caris LeVert topped the with 27 points. Domantas Sabonis had 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Trailing 94-90, the Pacers used a 9-0 run to take a 99-94 advantage. Chicago cut it to 104-103 on LaVine’s dunk with 1:40 to go.

The Bulls had lead most of the way, taking an 82-79 advantage into the fourth quarter. Chicago’s largest lead was nine points.

TIP-INS

Bulls: Chicago was without coach Billy Donovan for the fourth consecutive game because of COVID-19, with Chris Fleming directing the team. Fleming said Donovan is expected back next week. … Starting guard Lonzo Ball remains sidelined as well due to health and safety protocols. In addition, Marko Simonovic, Tony Bradley, Ersan Ilyasova and Alfonzo McKinnie were out due to COVID-19 protocols. … The Bulls signed Jordan Bell to 10-day contract on Thursday. … Alex Caruso didn’t play because of foot injury.

Pacers: Indiana was without five players, including starting guard Malcolm Brogdon sidelined because of COVID-19 protocols. Brogdon, the team’s leading scorer, had already missed the previous three games with an Achilles injury. The others were Chris Duarte, Jeremy Lamb, Isaiah Jackson and Kelan Martin. Duarte had started 25 games. Assistant coach Lloyd Pierce also was out following a positive COVID-19 test. ... Duane Washington Jr. made the first start of his NBA career, replacing Duarte. … The Pacers signed Ahmad Caver to a 10-day hardship contact on Friday. Indiana had signed Nate Hinton to a 10-day hardship contract on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Bulls: At Washington on Saturday night.

Pacers: At Cleveland on Sunday night.