iFeb 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) passes the ball against the Boston Celtics at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Celtics 107-97. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
An optimum FanDuel NBA outing from DeMar DeRozan Tuesday night helped Toronto finally capture a victory against the Bulls Tuesday night.
The Raptors had lost 11 consecutive games to Chicago, until DeMar DeRozan exploded for his finest FanDuel NBA outing of his last 20 games.
The three-time All-Star poured in 42 points, out-dueling Bulls forward Jimmy Butler, while adding eight rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block (for a total of 64.4 FanDuel NBA fantasy points) and carrying his team from a 15-point fourth quarter deficit to a 122-120 overtime victory.
DeRozan even made a critical play that won't show up in the box score, as he pulled Serge Ibaka away from Robin Lopez after the two threw punches at each other.
.@DeMar_DeRozan posts 42p/8a/7r & as the @Raptors rally from 15 down in the 4Q to beat the Bulls in OT, 122-120. pic.twitter.com/MNblpiGZjD
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 22, 2017
Toronto's victory snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Bulls, as DeRozan matched a season-high by converting 17 shots from the field and extended scoring chances by collecting four offensive rebounds.
DeRozan has scored 40 or more points five times this seaosn, tied with Butler and Isaiah Thomas for the fourth-most 40-point scoring efforts this season.
The 40-point efforts from DeRozan match the total number of 40-point outings Golden State's quartet of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson have this season.
Only Russell Westbrook (14), James Harden (11) and Anthony Davis (7) have logged more.
DeRozan doesn't have the added benefit of a potent long-range shot to help prop up his scoring numbers. DeRozan is one of 21 players to attempt 100 or more shots from 3-point range and convert fewer than 30 percent of those attempts.
Among the 21 players listed, only Lakers forward Corey Brewer is shooting at a lower percentage than the 25.7 percent from 3-point range DeRozan is converting this season.
Instead, the 6-foot-7 guard provides the bulk of his scoring by attacking the basket. DeRozan is scoring 9.0 points per game off drives to the rim, the second highest total in the league.
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Once he gets to the basket, DeRozan is generating points on 85.5 percent of his drives, a rate only surpassed by Damian Lillard among players driving to the rim 6.5 times or more per game.
Of the 591 made shots from DeRozan inside the 3-point arc this season, 150 have come off dunks and layups this season, leading to a 67 percent conversion rate on shots at the rim.
As he displayed Tuesday night, DeRozan is exceptional in crunch time situations. The 122 points DeRozan has logged in crunch time is tied for the 11th most in the league, with Davis and Washington guard Bradley Beal.
Only DeRozan is converting 49 percent of his attempts in crunch time, the third highest percentage among the top-25 crunch time scorers in the league.
If the game is on the line, or your FanDuel NBA lineup is in need of a scoring punch, DeRozan is a prime candidate for both.
Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) applies pressure during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Point Guards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Shooting Guards For Thursday
January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Shooting Guards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Small Forwards For Thursday
Mar 15, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Allen Crabbe (23) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Small Forwards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Power Forwards For Thursday
Mar 21, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss (0) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Miami Heat defeat the Phoenix Suns 112-97. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Power Forwards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Centers And Final Lineup For Thursday
Mar 21, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts in front of Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) after hitting a three point shot during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Centers
Rationale:
Next: Each Team's Mount Rushmore
Final Lineup
PG Chris Paul ($9,300)
PG Patty Mills ($4,300)
SG DeMar DeRozan ($9,000)
SG Courtney Lee ($4,700)
SF Harrison Barnes ($5,600)
SF Kawhi Leonard ($9,300)
PF Zach Randolph ($5,300)
PF Marquese Chriss ($5,100)
C Brook Lopez ($7,200)
