Tar Heels in NBA: Ellington joins rare NBA company with six 3-pointers in Pistons’ win over Lakers

By R.L. Bynum

Whenever you’re in a shooting group with Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, that’s prolific perimeter-shooting company.

Wayne Ellington joined them Thursday as the only NBA players with at least four 3-pointers in seven consecutive games while shooting at least 40% from 3-point range. Ellington extended his franchise-record streak of making at least four 3-pointers to eight games with four in the first half.

The only players with four or more 3-pointers in seven consecutive games with any percentage are Curry, Lillard, James Hardin and C.J. McCollum.

In the Detroit Pistons’ 107–97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, Ellington finished with 20 points on 6 of 9 shooting from 3-point range to continue an amazing perimeter run. In the last eight games, Ellington is 40 of 67 from 3-point range for 59%.

The Lakers were within seven points with 4:14 left when Ellington, who had a 14.0 game score, made a 3 to help hold off the reigning NBA champions.

“He is single-handedly spacing the floor for us on offense,” teammate and former Duke player Mason Plumlee said.

Detroit coach Dwayne Casey has nothing but praise for Ellington.

“I can’t have enough good things to say about Wayne,” Casey said. “Not just shooting — defense, he gets after it. He leads with his energy. He’s the one in the huddle talking stops. So many things he brings to the table. More than you could put a finger on.”

Ellington’s 3-point streak

Date/DayOpponentShootingPct.
Jan. 16at Miami3 of 560%
Jan. 18at Miami7 of 1164%
Jan. 20at Atlanta4 of 944%
Fridayvs. Houston6 of 1060%
Saturdayvs. Philadelphia4 of 667%
Mondayvs. Philadelphia6 of 967%
Wednesdayat Cleveland4 for 850%
Thursdayvs. L.A. Lakers6 of 967%
7-game total40 of 6759%

Cameron Johnson had another good game in the Phoenix Suns’ 114–94 victory over the Golden State Warriors with 13 points, three 3-pointers, five rebounds, two assists and a 9.1 game score.

No other UNC alums had games on Thursday night.

How Tar Heels did Thursday, what’s ahead

Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
No game
Season statistics — 19 games, 10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 36.3FG%, 34.4%3P, 85.6FT
Up next — Friday vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 8 p.m.; Sunday vs. Toronto in Tampa, 7 p.m.
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings guard
No game
Season statistics — 17 games, 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 49.1FG%, 30.0%3P, 84.2FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Toronto in Tampa, Fla., 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at Miami, 8 p.m.
Tony Bradley, Philadelphia Sixers center/forward
No game
Season statistics
— 6 games, 5.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist, 53.3 FG%, 0–0 3FG, 3–5 FT
Up next —
Friday at Minnesota, 8 p.m.; Sunday at Indiana, 7 p.m.
Reggie Bullock, New York Knicks guard/forward
No game
Season statistics —
15 games, 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 38.5FG%, 34.8%3P, 70.0FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 1 p.m.
Ed Davis, Minnesota Timberwolves center/forward
No game
Season statistics — 14 games, 2.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 40.6G%, 0–0 3FG, 83.3FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Philadelphia, 8 p.m.; Sunday vs. Cleveland, 8 p.m.
Wayne Ellington, Detroit Pistons guard
107–92 win vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Started; 29 minutes, 20 points, 7–12 FG, 6–9 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, +24, 14.0 game score
Season statistics — 14 games, 13.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 54.2FG%, 53.2 3P%, 72.7FTG%
Up next — Saturday at Golden State, 10 p.m.; Monday at Denver, 9 p.m.
Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers forward
No game
Season statistics — 19 games, 9.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 38.0FG%, 37.1%3P 72.7FT%
Up next —
Friday at Minnesota, 8 p.m.; Sunday at Indiana, 7 p.m.
Justin Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder forward
No game
Season statistics —
7 games, 5.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 42.9FG%, 17.6%3P, 80.0FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Brooklyn, 8 p.m.; Monday vs. Houston, 8 p.m.,
Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
114–94 win vs. Golden State —
Started; 30 minutes, 13 points, 5–10 FG, 3–8 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, +8, 9.1 game score
Season statistics —
17 games, 11.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 44.7FG%, 36.3%3P, 82.4FT%
Up next — Saturday at Dallas, 9 p.m.;  Monday at Dallas, 8:30 p.m., NBATV
Nassir Little, Portland Blazers forward/guard
104–101 loss at Houston —
4 minutes, 0 points, 1 turnover
Season statistics — 6 games, 1.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 30.0%FG, 1–4 3FG, 3–4 FT
Up next — Saturday at Chicago, 8 p.m.; Monday at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
Theo Pinson, New York Knicks guard/forward
No game
Season statistics — 7 games, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–5 3FG, 1 rebound
Up next — Friday vs. Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday vs. Los Angeles Clipper, 1 p.m.
Coby White, Chicago Bulls point guard
No game
Season statistics —
17 games, 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 40.0FG%, 35.8%3P, 84.2 FT
Up next — Saturday vs. Portland, 8 p.m.; Monday vs. New York, 8 p.m.

What is a game score? Here is an exclamation.

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