The Chicago Bulls are in the midst of a five-game road trip against Western Conference foes. Two of those games were at the Staples Center against the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, which was a homecoming for free-agent acquisition, NBA star DeMar DeRozan.

DeRozan, the Compton native, was excellent in both games. The Bulls defeated both Staples Center residents, knocking off the Clippers 100-90 and the Lakers 121-103.

Against the Clippers, DeRozan poured in 35 points, going 12-of-16 from the field, knocking down his single 3-point attempt, and shooting a stellar 10-of-11 from the foul line. He added seven rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes.

He was just as dominant against the Lakers. DeRozan scored a season-high 38 against the purple and gold, shooting 15-of-23 from the field, 2-of-5 from 3-point land, and made all six of his free throw attempts. He handed out six assists, grabbed three rebounds, and added one steal and one block as well.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan Expected To Join Lakers Before Bulls

DeRozan put on a show in his homecoming, providing a glimpse of what could have been. He thought that he was returning home this offseason, as he was under the impression everyone was on the same page when it came to completing a deal to land him with the Lakers.

They went in another direction, acquiring Russell Westbrook in a trade. The LA Clippers also made a run at him and DeRozan was close to taking a meeting with them, but they did not have the cap space available to make a legitimate offer.

“They didn’t have much, but it was a conversation that was brought up and it didn’t get as far as the Lakers’ situation,” DeRozan told Yahoo Sports. “Both L.A. teams were definitely a big possibility for me.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan Expected To Join Lakers Before Bulls

He certainly used the snub by the Lakers as motivation against them. Not wanting to disappoint in front of the hometown crowd, DeMar DeRozan stepped up his game and helped lead the Chicago Bulls to two victories in a very tough road trip.