derozan daughter

Everyone thinks Demar DeRozan's daughter is the reason Raptors lost to Bulls

The Toronto Raptors’ season ended on Wednesday, and DeMar DeRozan's energetic nine-year-old daughter may be partially to blame.

Diar DeRozan was one of only a few visiting Chicago Bulls fans in attendance at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, cheering on her dad.

And everyone knew it.

While most of the 19,800 fans in attendance hushed while the Raptors were taking free throws, DeRozan’s daughter screamed loudly, right before each attempt. She sat right near the basket, and was impossible to ignore.

The tactic appeared to work, as the Raptors shot 50 per cent (18-for-36) from the free throw line. The Bulls, by contrast, were 81.8 per cent (18-for-22).

Chicago won the play-in game 109-105, and will play Miami on Friday for a chance to qualify for the playoffs. Toronto, meanwhile, has been eliminated.

The Raptors as a team had a 78.4 per cent free-throw percentage during the regular season.

Just about everyone from the Raptors struggled to shoot free throws, with Pascal Siakam going 5-for-11, including two big missed free throws late in the fourth quarter. O.G. Anunoby went 3-for-8, Scottie Barnes 4-for-7, and Fred VanVleet 3-for-6.

"I kept hearing something during the game," DeRozan told reporters after the game. "Somebody missed and I looked back, and I was like damn, that’s my daughter screaming?"

Lead photo by

Chicago Bulls


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

Runner turns Toronto map into a giant cartoon animation

Here's how to get tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games in Toronto

William Nylander models for new Toronto Maple Leafs collab with OVO

Toronto's free outdoor skating rinks are about to open for the season

Toronto Raptor pulled over by police before attending party at nightclub

Andre 3000 just performed a set wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey

Ex-Toronto Raptor OG Anunoby had hilarious encounter with Anne Hathaway

Toronto Blue Jays fans seem annoyed team is posting about Taylor Swift