DeMar DeRozan on daughter’s “help” during Bulls Play-In game against Toronto
Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan says he “owes” his daughter for her help distracting Toronto players on the free-throw line.
USA TODAY
DeMar DeRozan’s daughter, Diar, went viral Wednesday night with her piercing screams that appeared to have a real impact on the Raptors’ free-throw shooting during the Chicago Bulls’ play-in game victory in Toronto.
Apparently, some fans were so incensed by the 9-year-old’s actions that she became the target of “severe online threats,” TNT’s Chris Haynes reported. Haynes said the NBA made the Bulls aware of the threats, and team security escorted her out of Scotiabank Arena and to the team bus alongside DeRozan.
“As long as she was there with her father, I wasn’t worried about anything happening,” DeRozan told Haynes. “It was just a precautionary measure and I appreciate that.”
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The Raptors season came to end with a 109-105 loss to the Bulls in the 9 vs. 10 play-in game. Toronto shot a dismal 18-for-36 from the free throw line, a 50% mark that many credited Diar for helping make happen.
Chicago was in Miami on Friday night for another play-in game to determine the No. 8 seed in the East. DeRozan had said his daughter would not be attending Friday’s game because she already missed one day of school to attend the game in Toronto.
