By R.L. Bynum
Harrison Barnes is doing everything he can to turn things around for the Sacramento Kings but even 22 points weren’t enough Thursday night against the New York Knicks.
Barnes also had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals but Sacramento dropped a 140–121 decision for its ninth consecutive defeat. The Kings are without Jabari Parker, a former Duke player. and Hassan Whiteside because of COVID-19 protocols.
Barnes questioned the defensive effort as the Kings have allowed an average of 126.3 points per game during the losing streak. Barnes has only played in the last two games after missing three games with a left foot strain.
“How smart are we playing defensively?” Barnes said. “We have to play the game within the game better.”
Barnes put up a game score of 20.4 for his ninth score of at least 20 this season but first since Feb. 6.
In the win for New York, Reggie Bullock had 10 points and two 3-pointers and Theo Pinson was scoreless with one assist in two minutes in his first action since Feb. 13.
Philadelphia keeps rolling, beating Dallas 111–97 for the Sixers’ fourth win in the last five games. Danny Green had six points, two 3-pointers, four rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes and Tony Bradley scored two points in four minutes. Like Pinson, it was Bradley’s first game since Feb. 13.
How Tar Heels did Thursday, what’s next
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
129–92 loss at Brooklyn — Missed eighth consecutive game with right rib non-displaced fracture
Season statistics — 25 games, 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 37.4FG%, 32.4%3P, 83.6FT
Up next — Saturday vs. Utah, 8 p.m.; Monday vs. Dallas, 7 p.m.
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings guard
140–121 loss at New York — 36 minutes, 22 points, 7–12 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–7 FT, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, -9, 20.4 game score
Season statistics — 29 games, 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 48.9FG%, 40.0%3P, 83.9FT%
Up next — Friday at Detroit, 8 p.m.; Sunday vs. Charlotte, 10 p.m., FSS
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Tony Bradley, Philadelphia Sixers center/forward
111–97 win vs. Dallas — 4 minutes, 2 points, 1–1 FG, -7, 1.7 game score
Season statistics — 11 games, 3.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist, 54.1 FG%, 0–0 3FG, 3–5 FT
Up next — Saturday vs. Cleveland, 7 p.m.; Monday vs. Indiana, 7 p.m.
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Reggie Bullock, New York Knicks guard/forward
140–121 win vs. Sacramento — Started; 20 minutes, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +/- of 0, 6.6 game score
Season statistics — 28 games, 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 41.0FG%, 36.9%3P, 85.7FT%
Up next — Saturday vs. Indiana, 8 p.m.; Sunday at Detroit, 8 p.m.
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Ed Davis, Minnesota Timberwolves center/forward
No game
Season statistics — 19 games, 2.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 41.9FG%, 0–0 3FG, 87.5FT%
Up next — Saturday at Washington, 7 p.m.; Sunday vs. Phoenix, 9 p.m.
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Wayne Ellington, Detroit Pistons guard
No game
Season statistics — 24 games, 10.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 43.8FG%, 40.8 3P%, 68.2FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Sacramento, 8 p.m.; Sunday vs. New York, 8 p.m.
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Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers forward
111–97 win vs. Dallas — Started; 23 minutes, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 2–4 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, +5, 7.1 game score
Season statistics — 34 games, 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 40.2FG%, 38.5%3P, 65.0FT%
Up next — Saturday vs. Cleveland, 7 p.m.; Monday vs. Indiana, 7 p.m.
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Justin Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder forward
No game
Season statistics — 21 games, 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 43.9FG%, 33.3%3P, 80.0FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Atlanta, 8 p.m.; Saturday vs. Denver, 8 p.m.
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Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
No game
Season statistics — 31 games, 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 43.8FG%, 37.2%3P, 86.1FT%
Up next — Friday at Chicago, 8 p.m.; Sunday at Minnesota, 9 p.m.
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Nassir Little, Portland Blazers forward/guard
No game
Season statistics — 16 games, 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.3 of an assist, 54.0%FG, 53.8%3P, 88.2FT%
Up next — Friday at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m., ESPN; Monday vs. Charlotte, FSS, NBATV
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Theo Pinson, New York Knicks guard/forward
140–121 win vs. Sacramento — 2 minutes, 0 points, 1 assist, -4, 0.7 game score
Season statistics — 10 games, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–6 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist
Up next — Saturday vs. Indiana, 8 p.m.; Sunday at Detroit, 8 p.m.
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Coby White, Chicago Bulls point guard
No game
Season statistics — 31 games, 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 41.6FG%, 35.4%3P, 87.5 FT
Up next — Friday vs. Phoenix, 8 p.m.; Sunday at Toronto, 7 p.m.
What is a game score? Here is an exclamation.
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