DeMar DeRozan’s increased 3-point volume an extra boost to the Chicago Bulls offense — but Billy Donovan has one tweak

LOS ANGELES — When DeMar DeRozan sank a second-straight 3-point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in Sunday’s win, the celebration that followed was automatic. All DeRozan had to do was stand still — his teammates came to him, bounding and bouncing off him to acknowledge something slightly rare.

DeRozan has never been known as a 3-point shooter — nor does he want to be. He’s built an All-Star career on a brutal efficiency in the midrange and an incomparable ability to earn trips to the free-throw line, a unique style that continues to stand out even as the league becomes increasingly dependent behind the arc.

But the last month saw a steep spike in DeRozan’s shooting volume from behind the arc. In the past 11 games of March, DeRozan is making 1.3 baskets on 2.9 attempts from 3-point range, doubling his typical production of 0.6 makes on 1.8 attempts on the season.

DeRozan has always balanced his low attempt from 3-point range with high efficiency — so when he shoots from deep, he makes it count. He’s a 29.2% career 3-point shooter despite averaging only 1.5 attempts per game, which is good for a make every other game.

So what’s changed the last month? DeRozan said it’s what opponents have given him.

“I’m just out there playing,” he said. “I’m just taking what they give me, playing within the offense. It’s not like a conscious effort — like, ‘Oh tonight I’m gonna shoot seven threes.’ I’m just playing.”

Coach Billy Donovan noted that some of DeRozan’s recent 3-point attempts were borne out of necessity as he received passes behind the arc with the shot clock expiring. But one major change is the way DeRozan is weighing his decision to shoot rather than drive when the ball is kicked out to him on the perimeter.

When DeRozan catches a spray-out pass around the arc, he typically looks to pass or slash, using an extra dribble to either create space or force himself into the gut of a defender to draw a foul. But in recent weeks, DeRozan has also given a longer look to shooting immediately.

“Especially when he’s free-throw line and below, when that ball is coming to him, a lot of times that drive to the baseline can be tough,” Donovan said. “He’s taking the ones that are there and that are available.”

It’s notable this change in DeRozan’s shooting pattern started after the February flare-up of his right leg injury, which has affected his hip and quadriceps since mid-December.

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At times, DeRozan struggles to get lift or move with the same explosiveness, which has affected his decision-making and forced him to leave Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. But DeRozan said his injury hasn’t impacted his 3-point shot in either direction.

For a Bulls roster that takes fewer 3-point shots than any other team in the league, production from any player is welcome — especially a shooter as efficient as DeRozan.

“I always encourage him to shoot when he’s got those shots,” Donovan said. “He’s a guy that can shoot threes. He just doesn’t take a lot of them. And not taking a lot of them is of benefit, in fact, because he does get to the free-throw line because of that.”

Donovan only has one tweak for DeRozan — and it’s a natural byproduct for a player accustomed to shooting without worrying about the location of the 3-point line.

“We gotta get his toes off the line sometimes,” Donovan joked. “That would be nice.”