LAS VEGAS — Denzel Valentine only strike three shots all night, although the next a person saved Chicago’s fantastic Summer League run as well as 3rd shipped the title.
The Bulls defeat the Timberwolves, 84–82, while in the Las Vegas Summertime League remaining at Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, completing a best 7–0 Summer time League record.
Valentine, selected No. 14 in June’s draft after spending four seasons at Michigan State, sealed the win with a jumper over Coty Clarke at the buzzer in overtime.
“Four-year [college] player,” Bulls Summer season League coach Pete Myers said of Valentine. “He’s buy 2K17 MT been in moments like this. From the day he walked into our facility he hasn’t blinked. We knew this kid was confident. Moments, situations, he’s not afraid.”
With 10 seconds left along with the score tied 82–82, Valentine first worked to his right to draw a switch before driving back left and reverse pivoting into a jumper from the left elbow. The shot swished through after time expired, prompting loud cheers from the crowd, which was heavily pro-Bulls all night time.
“I’ve made so many big pictures and played so many different types of games,” Valentine said. “I’ve played games MT Coins like this where I’ve not scored all game and then I strike big buckets, or I’ve had games where I scored all the points and missed the game-winner. It’s never over until it's over.”
Remarkably, this was Valentine’s next heroic moment of the evening. With Minnesota leading 77–74 and 3.6 seconds left in regulation, Chicago set up a brilliant inbounds play to free Valentine for a game-tying 3. The shot off the well-executed set, which included a crosscourt pass to Cristiano and a quick next pass to Valentine at the left angle, tied the game at 77–77 with 0.2 seconds left.
Valentine finished with just seven points on 3-for-10 shooting overall and 1-for-7 from deep to go with eight rebounds and 3 assists in 37 minutes.