Three Things to Know: DeRozan looks like MVP with 37, game-winner for Bulls

Three Things is NBC’s five-days-a-week wrap-up of the night before in the NBA. Check out NBCSports.com every weekday morning to catch up on what you missed the night before plus the rumors, drama, and dunks going that make the NBA great.

DeMar DeRozan was the hottest player in the NBA heading into the All-Star break.

Nothing has changed with a week off. He scored 37 points on  15-of-21 shooting — his eighth straight game of 35+ points on better than 50% shooting, an NBA record — and he saved his best for last, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter. That includes this and-1 game-winner over a double-team.

DEMAR DEROZAN IS THE MVP. pic.twitter.com/NMMh9vzi9b

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) February 25, 2022

DeRozan may not win the MVP, but it’s going to be very difficult for voters to leave him off their top five ballot with his clutch play of late.

For those who like records, that’s nine straight 30+ point games for DeRozan, the second-longest streak in Bulls’ history (some guy named Jordan had 10 straight in 1990-91).

DeRozan got help from rookie Ayo Dosunmu, who was given the Trae Young defensive assignment and held the All-Star to 3-for-17 shooting.

The win has the Bulls atop the East (because the Heat had the night off).

Russia invaded the neighboring nation of Ukraine on Thursday, striking on several fronts and is already approaching the capital of Kyiv.

President Joseph Biden condemned the attack and announced new, tougher sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Biden said.

There are currently two Ukrainian players in the NBA — the Sacramento Kings’ Alex Len and the Toronto Raptors’ Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk — and