By R.L. Bynum
Coby White seems to have adjusted to the rhythm of coming off the bench and put up another solid game as the Chicago Bulls beat Toronto 122–113 in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday for their third consecutive victory after losing the previous six.
In 26 minutes, White collected 15 points, three 3-pointers and three rebounds and has scored in double figures in five of the last six games. The assist-to-turnover ratio wasn’t ideal, though, at 1 to 4.
Former starter Lauri Markkanen came off the bench to score 18 to also provide a spark. Bulls coach Billy Donovan said that he considers him and White big parts of the team and told them during Thursday’s shootaround that he appreciated their contributions as they shifted to reserve roles.
“I still believe they are core guys, I still believe they are extremely important pieces to our team,” Donovan said. “They’re important to our team, but I give them a lot of credit that a lot of stuff has changed and a lot of guys have had to make sacrifices.”
One area where White has improved since his season at UNC is free-throw shooting, which was already a strong point. White shot 80% (104 of 130) during that 2018–19 season with the Tar Heels. He shot 79.1% during his rookie NBA season, but is up to 90% this season after making both free throw attempts Thursday. White has made 11 consecutive free-throw attempts since splitting a pair of free throws in Chicago’s March 14 win over Toronto.
In Sacramento’s 113–101 home loss to Detroit, the Kings’ fifth consecutive setback, Harrison Barnes contributed 13 points and four rebounds in 26 minutes for a 9.2 game score.
Barnes was critical of his play and that of his teammates.
“It’s about responsibility,” Barnes said. “We’ve been in this situation, I don’t know how many times. I’ve sat in front of you guys, I don’t know how many times. You’ve been asking the same questions. All I can tell you is that, individually, we have to be accountable and I’m not holding up my end of the bargain at this point.”
Wayne Ellington was scoreless in eight minutes for Detroit.
In Phoenix’s 113–103 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Cameron Johnson had six points, three rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes.
Nassir Little had eight points and three rebounds in 10 minutes as Portland lost 122–103 at Utah.
Oklahoma City continues to struggle, dropping its fifth consecutive game, falling 129–102 home loss to Cleveland. Tony Bradley had five points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 20 minutes.
How Tar Heels did Thursday, what’s next
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
No game
Season statistics — 26 games, 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 37.1FG%, 33.3%3P, 82.5FT
Up next — Friday vs. Indiana, 7 p.m.; Sunday vs. Milwaukee, 7 p.m.
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings guard
113–101 loss vs. Detroit — 40 minutes, 13 points, 5–12 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, -7, 9.2 game score
Season statistics — 49 games, 15.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 49.3FG%, 36.2%3P, 82.9FT%
Up next — Saturday at Utah, 9 p.m.; Monday at New Orleans, 9 p.m.
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Tony Bradley, Oklahoma City Thunder center/forward
129–102 loss vs. Cleveland — 20 minutes, 5 points, 2–4 FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, -19, 6.1 game score
Season statistics — 27 games, 6.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 66.4 FG%, 0–2 3FG, 70.8FT%
Up next — Saturday vs. Philadelphia, 9 p.m.; Tuesday at Utah, 9 p.m.
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Reggie Bullock, New York Knicks guard/forward
No game
Season statistics — 45 games, 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 42.7FG%, 40.1%3P, 88.2FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m., NBATV; Sunday vs. Toronto, 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 — Friday at Boston, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday vs. Chicago, 8 p.m.
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Wayne Ellington, Detroit Pistons guard
113–101 win at Sacramento — 8 minutes, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, +0. -0.8 game score
Season statistics — 38 games, 9.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 44.1FG%, 41.5 3P%, 78.8FT%
Up next — Saturday at Portland, 10 p.m.; Sunday at Los Angeles Clippers, 10 p.m.
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Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers forward
No game
Season statistics — 51 games, 9.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 42.1FG%, 41.5%3P, 72.4FT%
Up next — Friday at New Orleans, 8 p.m.; Saturday at Oklahoma City, 9 p.m.
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Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
113–103 loss at Los Angeles Clippers — 20 minutes, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, -18, 5.2 game score
Season statistics — 45 games, 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 44.1FG%, 38.7%3P, 88.1FT%
Up next — Saturday vs. Washington, 10 p.m.; Monday vs. Houston, 10 p.m.
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Nassir Little, Portland Blazers forward/guard
122–103 loss at Utah — 10 minutes, 8 points, 4–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 3 rebounds, +2, 5.2 game score
Season statistics — 32 games, 5.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist, 46.8%FG, 37.3%3P, 86.1FT%
Up next — Saturday vs. Detroit, 10 p.m.; Sunday vs. Miami, 10 p.m., NBATV
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Theo Pinson, New York Knicks guard/forward
No game
Season statistics — 14 games, 2 points, 1–9 FG, 0–8 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Up next — Friday vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m., NBATV; Sunday vs. Toronto, 8 p.m.
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Coby White, Chicago Bulls point guard
122–113 win vs. Toronto in Tampa, Fla. — 27 minutes, 15 points, 5–10 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 turnovers, -2, 6.0 game score
Season statistics — 47 games, 14.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 41.2FG%, 34.8%3P, 90.0 FT%
Up next — Friday at Atlanta, 8 p.m.; Sunday at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
What is a game score? Here is an exclamation.
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