By R.L. Bynum
Only three Tar Heels played in the NBA on Saturday night and all three started in the same game and scored in double-figures.
Danny Green led the way with 18 points and four 3-pointers and Tony Bradley had 14 points and eight rebounds as the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers rolled to a 129–105 victory over Sacramento.
Harrison Barnes had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Kings.
It was a big win for the Sixers after a frustrating 109–105 overtime home loss to Milwaukee in their previous game.
“That was a mental lesson for us,” said Green, who has scored in double figures for four of the last five games. “A mentally fatigue type of situation for us where we have to be able to focus and stay locked in regardless of how physically tired we are.”
Green, who contributed 11 points and three 3-pointers in the first quarter and also had three steals, praised Sixers coach Doc Rivers.
“Doc has been great helping us understand what he wants from us every night,” Green said.
Bradley got his fourth consecutive start and fifth in the last six games because Joel Embiid missed his fourth consecutive game with a left knee bone bruise. Also out for Philadelphia were Ben Simmons (left knee soreness) and Seth Curry (left ankle sprain).
There will likely be three Tar Heels starting again Sunday night when the Sixers visit Reggie Bullock and the New York Knicks.
Fans can check out Green and Bradley twice on TNT next week for the 10 p.m. games Tuesday night at Golden State and Thursday night at the Los Angeles Lakers.
There is good news for Cameron Johnson, who has been sidelined since March 2 and has missed the last six games under the league’s health and safety protocols. He was getting up shots before Friday’s Phoenix game, isn’t listed on the injury report for Sunday night’s home game against the Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m., NBATV) and will likely return soon.
Johnson has asthma, which has him more concerned about COVID-19.
“So, my parents have been like, ‘Don’t get it, don’t get it,’ ” Johnson said in a March 8 interview with teammate Langston Galloway on the team’s website. “ ‘Where are you going? What are you doing? Be careful’ to the point where it’s, OK, come on now. But it’s because they care and they know that since I’m young. An upper respiratory infection can do damage.”
His Suns teammates will welcome him back.
“That’s my guy,” Mikal Bridges said. “I miss my shooting partner out there, but I know he’s going to be good. I talked to him. We obviously miss our guy. I do my little handshake when he’s not there. Still do it as [if] he’s there.”
Phoenix coach Monty Williams says that Johnson is important for his team.
“Not having him on the floor is huge for us,” Williams said. “He’s a guy that not only shoots the ball, he’s a much better defender than he gets credit for. He makes plays with the ball, off the ball and he’s tough. He sticks his nose in the fight every night. He could be outmatched by 10, 15, 20 pounds and he doesn’t back down.”
How Tar Heels did Saturday, what’s next
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
No game
Season statistics — 25 games, 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 37.4FG%, 32.4%3P, 83.6FT
Up next — Sunday at Boston, 3:30 p.m.; Tuesday vs. Denver, 7 p.m.
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings guard
129–104 loss at Philadelphia — Started; 33 minutes, 12 points, 5–7 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–1 FT, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, -22, 13.2 game score
Season statistics — 39 games, 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 49.8FG%, 37.4%3P, 83.0FT%
Up next —Monday at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday vs. Atlanta, 10 p.m.
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Tony Bradley, Philadelphia Sixers center/forward
129–104 win vs. Sacramento — 24 minutes, 14 points, 6–8 FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, +26, 12.8 game score
Season statistics — 18 games, 5.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 65.2 FG%, 0–0 3FG, 71.4FG%
Up next — Sunday at New York, 8 p.m.; Tuesday at Golden State, 10 p.m., TNT
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Reggie Bullock, New York Knicks guard/forward
No game
Season statistics — 37 games, 9.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 41.8FG%, 38.9%3P, 85.2FT%
Up next — Sunday vs. Philadelphia, 8 p.m.; Tuesday vs. Washington, 7:30 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 — Monday vs. Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.; Wednesday vs. Dallas, 8 p.m.
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Wayne Ellington, Detroit Pistons guard
No game
Season statistics — 30 games, 10.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 44.6FG%, 42.2 3P%, 74.1FT%
Up next — Sunday vs. Chicago, 7 p.m.; Wednesday at Indiana, 7 p.m.
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Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers forward
129–104 win vs. Sacramento — 32 minutes, 18 points, 7–13 FG, 4–6 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, +33, 16.6 game score
Season statistics — 42 games, 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 40.0FG%, 38.6%3P, 65.0FT%
Up next — Sunday at New York, 8 p.m.; Tuesday at Golden State, 10 p.m., TNT
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Justin Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder forward
No game
Season statistics — 28 games, 6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 40.4FG%, 29.2%3P, 80.8FT%
Up next — Sunday at Houston, 2 p.m.; Monday at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
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Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
No game
Season statistics — 34 games, 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 43.7FG%, 37.8%3P, 86.5FT%
Up next — Sunday vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m., NBATV; Tuesday at Miami, 8 p.m.
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Nassir Little, Portland Blazers forward/guard
No game
Season statistics — 26 games, 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist, 46.7%FG, 38.8%3P, 86.7FT%
Up next — Sunday vs. Dallas, 10 p.m.; Tuesday vs. Brooklyn 10 p.m.
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Theo Pinson, New York Knicks guard/forward
No game
Season statistics — 12 games, 2 points, 1–8 FG, 0–7 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Up next — Sunday vs. Philadelphia, 8 p.m.; Tuesday vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m.
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Coby White, Chicago Bulls point guard
No game
Season statistics — 40 games, 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 41.4FG%, 35.1%3P, 88.9 FT
Up next — Sunday at Detroit, 7 p.m.; Monday vs. Utah, 9 p.m.
What is a game score? Here is an exclamation.
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