With nine seconds left and the game on the line, DeMar DeRozan stepped to the free-throw line, exhaled slowly, and sank both shots. No fan in Delta Center could believe it. The Chicago Bulls had just pulled off a 119-117 road win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 — a game that felt like it was scripted for Hollywood, not the NBA regular season.
Here’s the thing: nobody expected this to be a classic. The Bulls were hovering around .500, stuck in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Jazz? They were rebuilding, winless in their last five road games, and clearly out of contention. But basketball doesn’t care about records. Sometimes, it just needs one man to remind everyone why the game matters.
The Clutch Performance of a Lifetime
DeRozan didn’t just score 29 points — he carried the Bulls on his back when it mattered most. With just over a minute left and Chicago up by two, he drove baseline, absorbed contact from Jordan Clarkson, and finished the layup through the foul. That basket, his 28th point, gave the Bulls a 117-115 lead. The crowd gasped. The Jazz bench stood up. And then, with nine seconds left, DeRozan was fouled again.
He didn’t flinch. The arena fell silent. The first free throw rattled in. The second? Pure. Swish. 119-115. Utah had 8.2 seconds to work with. They got a three from Keita Bates-Diop — but it was too late. Final: 119-117.
How the Game Unfolded
The scoring by quarter told a story of momentum swings. Chicago opened hot: 33 points in the first, 30 in the second. By halftime, they led 63-54. The third quarter was a stalemate — 30-29 Bulls — and then came the fourth. Utah, down 10 with 6:30 left, unleashed everything. They outscored Chicago 34-26 in the final frame, the highest-scoring quarter of the game for either team. The Jazz had a chance to win it. They just didn’t have the right man at the end.
DeRozan’s 29 points came on 11-of-21 shooting, with 7-of-8 from the line. He also added six rebounds and three assists. But it wasn’t just the stats. It was the poise. The calm. The way he turned a chaotic final minute into a masterclass in controlled aggression.
What This Means for the Bulls
With the win, Chicago improved to 30-32, clinging to ninth place in the Eastern Conference — just 1.5 games behind the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks. They’re not a top-tier contender, but they’re proving they can win tight games. And that matters. In the play-in tournament, one possession, one shot, one player can change everything.
DeRozan, now 34, is in his 15th NBA season. He’s not the flashiest player anymore. No dunks from the free-throw line, no 40-point explosions. But he’s become something rarer: a cold-blooded closer. He’s now 17-of-18 on game-deciding free throws this season. That’s not luck. That’s experience. That’s grit.
The Jazz’s Frustrating Near-Miss
Utah’s 28-35 record doesn’t tell the whole story. They played with heart. LaMelo Ball was out. But Collin Sexton dropped 27 points. Mark Williams blocked four shots. They out-rebounded Chicago 48-42. They outscored them in the paint, 62-48. And still, they lost.
“We had it,” said Jazz head coach Will Hardy afterward. “We had the momentum. We had the energy. We just didn’t have the guy who could take over when it counted.”
Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score
This wasn’t just another win for Chicago. It was a statement — to their own locker room, to the rest of the East, and to fans who’ve watched them stumble through inconsistency. DeRozan didn’t just win a game. He reminded everyone that veteran leadership still has power in a league obsessed with youth and analytics.
Meanwhile, Utah’s loss extended their road losing streak to seven games. They’re not out of the race for the draft lottery — but they’re still searching for identity. The Bulls? They’re finding theirs, one clutch free throw at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did DeMar DeRozan’s performance compare to his season averages?
DeRozan entered the game averaging 21.4 points per game this season — so his 29-point outburst was well above his norm. He also shot 52.4% from the field, compared to his season average of 46.8%. His free-throw shooting was particularly elite: 87.5% on the night, far above his 82.1% season clip. This was his fifth 25+ point game in March, signaling a late-season surge.
What’s the significance of the Bulls holding on despite being outscored 34-26 in the fourth quarter?
It’s rare for a team to win after being outscored by eight points in the final quarter. In fact, since 2020, only 12 NBA teams have pulled off such a win when trailing by at least 10 points entering the fourth. The Bulls’ ability to close out under pressure highlights their improved late-game execution — something they’ve struggled with all season. DeRozan’s poise was the key difference.
How does this win affect Chicago’s playoff chances?
With the win, the Bulls remain ninth in the East, just behind Atlanta and tied with Charlotte. They’re half a game ahead of Miami and Washington. To make the play-in tournament, they need to finish in the top 10. They’ve got 20 games left — and seven of those are against teams currently below them in the standings. This win, especially on the road, gives them momentum and confidence in tight games.
Why didn’t the Jazz win despite their strong fourth quarter?
Utah’s fourth-quarter surge was fueled by transition offense and three-point shooting — but they lacked a true closer. Their top scorers, Sexton and Clarkson, were both exhausted by the final minute. They also turned the ball over twice in the last 90 seconds, including a critical inbounds violation. Meanwhile, DeRozan’s experience allowed him to make smarter decisions under pressure — something Utah’s younger core still lacks.
Has DeMar DeRozan ever had a bigger clutch moment in his career?
Arguably, yes. His 2018 playoff series-clinching buzzer-beater against the Raptors for the Spurs remains iconic. But this moment stands out because of the context: a road game against a rebuilding team, in a season where his team is fighting for relevance. At 34, with a legacy already cemented, he’s choosing to elevate his team when it matters most — and that’s what makes it special.
What’s next for the Bulls and Jazz?
Chicago heads home to face the Knicks on Friday, then plays back-to-back games against the Pistons and Magic — all winnable matchups. Utah travels to Denver on Friday, where they’ll face the Nuggets’ top-ranked defense. The Jazz have lost 11 of their last 13 away games. For them, the focus is now on development. For the Bulls, it’s about proving they belong in the play-in conversation.