It was a remarkable performance from Deng and proved that the injury problems that wrecked the end of last season are now firmly behind him.

 

He said: "We had to have somebody kind of show energy and hoping everyone would follow.

 

"And at halftime I felt like I hadn't even played yet.

 

"I felt like I had a lot of energy and I just wanted to go out there and play as hard as I can.

 

"Sometimes when you're struggling making shots, playing hard kind of [makes] you forget about your shots and it just comes to you."

Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said: "Luol was tremendous.

 

"Very active on the glass.

 

"[He] had some big three-point plays in the second half.

 

"He was very active all night.

 

"He was dominant.

 

"Two blocks, played really well - just a big game from Luol."

 

Deng missed the last 22 matches of the regular season earlier this year and the play-offs because of a stress fracture.

 

It also stopped him playing for Britain in the European Championships in Poland.

 

Deng said: "I'm just happy I'm healthy.

 

"I'm happy to be out there playing.

 

"It's the longest I sat out not playing and I missed playing.

 

"I'm just happy that I'm out there with my teammates and I'm not on the side watching them."

 

 

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