By R.L. Bynum
Since joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in the offseason, Justin Jackson hasn’t been given many opportunities to show what he can bring to the team.
He got a chance in the Thunder’s 119–101 loss Tuesday at Denver and made the most of his seven minutes with nine points, making all three of his shots, including two 3-pointers for a season-best 8.9 game score.
The Dallas Mavericks traded Jackson to the Thunder on Nov. 27 in a three-team trade that involved the Detroit Pistons. He’s only played in five of Oklahoma City’s 13 games but has gotten into three of the last four.
He’s averaging 13 minutes when he’s got into games, playing behind power forwards Darius Bazley (29.2 minutes per game), Aleksej Pokusevski (16.8) and Isaiah Roby (19.4).
With Dallas last season, Jackson played in 65 games, started three and averaged 16 minutes and 5.5 points per game.
Jackson was the only UNC alum who played on a night with only two NBA games.
There are a couple of chances to watch Tar Heels in the NBA in ESPN’s Wednesday night doubleheader.
You can flip over during timeouts of UNC’s home game with Wake Forest to check out Danny Green, Tony Bradley and the Philadelphia 76ers’ 7 p.m. home game with the Boston Celtics.
At 9:30, ESPN’s second game will feature Cameron Johnson, coming off his first start of the season, and the Phoenix Suns visiting Houston.
How Tar Heels did Tuesday and what’s ahead
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
No game
Season statistics — 14 games, 10.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 32.1FG%, 22.4%3P, 88.2FT
Up next — Wednesday at Minnesota, 8 p.m.; Friday at Indiana, 7 p.m.
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings guard
No game
Season statistics — 14 games, 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 49.1FG%, 40.0%3P, 81.5FT%
Up next — Wednesday at Los Angeles Clippers, 10 p.m.; Friday vs. New York, 10 p.m.
Tony Bradley, Philadelphia Sixers center/forward
No game
Season statistics — 5 games, 4.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist, 47.8 FG%, 0–0 3FG, 1–3 FT
Up next — Wednesday vs. Boston, 7 p.m., ESPN; Friday vs. Boston, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Reggie Bullock, New York Knicks guard/forward
No game
Season statistics — 13 games, 8.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 38.7FG%, 31.7%3P, 70.0FT%
Up next — Thursday at Golden State, 10 p.m.; Friday at Sacramento, 10 p.m.
Ed Davis, Minnesota Timberwolves center/forward
No game
Season statistics — 9 games, 2.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 37.5FG%, 0–0 3FG, 83.3FT%
Up next — Wednesday vs. Orlando, 8 p.m.; Friday vs. Atlanta, 8 p.m.
Wayne Ellington, Detroit Pistons guard
No game
Season statistics — 7 games, 8.0 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist, 47.7FG%, 40.6 3P%, 1–1 FT
Up next — Wednesday at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.; Friday vs. Houston, 7 p.m.
Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers guard
No game
Season statistics — 14 games, 9.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 37.4FG%, 37.0%3P 72.7FT%
Up next — Wednesday vs. Boston, 7 p.m., ESPN; Friday vs. Boston, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Justin Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder forward
119–101 loss at Denver — 7 minutes, 9 points, 3–3 FG, 2–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, +8, 8.9 game score
Season statistics — 5 games, 5.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist, 45.5FG%, 21.4%3P, 75.0FT%
Up next — Friday at Los Angeles Clippers, 10 p.m.; Sunday at Los Angeles Clippers, 4 p.m.
Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
No game
Season statistics — 12 games, 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 46.8FG%, 38.5%3P, 85.7FT%
Up next — Wednesday at Houston, 9:30 p.m., ESPN; Friday vs Denver, 10 p.m., ESPN
Nassir Little, Portland Blazers forward/guard
No game
Season statistics — 4 games, 1.5 points, 1.8 rebound, 0 assists, 2–5 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–2 FT
Up next — Wednesday game vs. Memphis postponed; Friday vs. Memphis, 10 p.m.
Theo Pinson, New York Knicks guard/forward
91–84 win vs. Orlando — Didn’t play
Season statistics — 6 games, 0 points, 0–5 FG, 0–5 3FG, 1 rebound
Up next — Thursday at Golden State, 10 p.m.; Friday at Sacramento, 10 p.m.
Coby White, Chicago Bulls point guard
No game
Season statistics — 14 games, 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 40.3FG%, 35.1%3P, 84.4 FT
Up next — Friday at Charlotte, 7 p.m., FSS; Saturday vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 8 p.m.
What is a game score? Here is an exclamation.
tarheeltribune.com 
