Guard Ayo Dosunmu Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Ayo Dosunmu shocks Hawks at the buzzer

By Sean Keane | Last updated 12/22/22

With the game on the line, DeMar DeRozan is deadly. Even when he shoots an airball.

DeRozan shot an airball with time running out in a 108-108 game between the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks. He missed everything, but an opportunistic Ayo Dosunmu was there to grab the rebound and stun the Hawks with a game-winner.

It was a huge game for two teams with high hopes who have disappointed this year. The Bulls had a blowout argument at halftime Sunday, leading to talk about whether Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan could co-exist. Atlanta made a blockbuster deal for Dejounte Murray, but still sit at .500, while Trae Young has clashed with his coach.

The game also reversed a trend of close losses for the Bulls. In close games, Chicago is 4-11 (26.7 percent), the worst mark in the league. Last year they were 25-16 (61 percent), in part due to DeRozan's clutch shooting.

After losing four in a row and seven out of nine games, the Bulls have stopped their slide and at least temporarily quieted talk about trading veterans and blowing up the team.

You can see that Hawks' disunity in the aftermath of the shot. Dosunmu hits the basket then falls backwards onto Atlanta's John Collins, knocking him to the ground. The Bulls swarm Dosunmu to congratulate him, while the Hawks ignore their teammate. Eventually Murray goes over to help him up, but he's the only Hawk who does so.

It's just one game, but the Bulls might have turned their season around. With an airball.

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