Tar Heels in NBA: White, having fun after another big game for streaking Bulls, talks about his role; Bullock hits five 3s

By R.L. Bynum

Coby White has settled in to his role of coming off the Chicago Bulls’ bench with the return of Lonzo Ball the last two games, but the outstanding games keep coming.

In 31 minutes, White was 7 of 8 from the floor for 21 points, four 3-pointers and three assists as the host Bulls beat the Washington Wizards 130–122 for their ninth consecutive victory.

That matched Chicago’s longest win streak since the end of the 2010–11 season and gives the 26–10 Bulls a 2½-game lead over the Brooklyn Nets for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

“It’s fun,” White said. “It’s dope. We don’t take it for granted. But at the same time, we still have to push and get better in all areas as a team.”

The Bulls had lost two consecutive games before White returned from the NBA’s health-and-safety protocols on Dec. 19 and they haven’t lost since then. White is contributing in ways that don’t show up in the box score, such as terrific defense, and is playing with confidence.

White had done nothing but win before he dealt with consecutive losing seasons to start his NBA career (22–43 and 31–41).

“My high school, middle school, college, I always won on every level, except my first two years,” said White, who missed the first 13 games of the season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. “So, for me, I never lost faith that one day we would be good. For me, I just want to continue to grind and continue to get better and things will turn around.”

Thanks to White, Chicago outscored Washington 56–29 on bench points. White scored eight points in the last 1:17 of the third quarter with a pair of 3-pointers and a driving shot at the buzzer to give the Bulls a 107–95 lead entering the fourth quarter.

“I just feel like I took what the game gave me, whether it was getting downhill making plays, whether it was running the offense, whether it was making shots,” White said. “I think we all just play together. Everybody is just out there to play hard and we just want to win.”

White has ramped up the 3-point shooting of late with at least four 3-pointers in three of the last four games and at least three in six of the last seven. He’s shooting 55% (22 of 40) from outside the arc in the last seven games.

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“I’ve been able to put together a string of games after being out,” White said. “So, I’ve just been trying to get that rhythm back. Over the last couple of games, I found a nice little rhythm. But my teammates continue to find me, so shout out to them.

“So, for me, I’m just trying to make the right play when I’m out there,” White said. “You know, whether to shoot, drive, the extra pass and then get it done defensively. So, that’s how I’m looking at each game. Not as I’ve got to get in, I’ve got to score. I’m just wanting to get in and make an impact any way I can.”

Tony Bradley returned after missing six games in the NBA’s health-and-safety protocols and had eight points, four rebounds and two blocks in 10 minutes for Chicago.


Next up for Chicago is a road game against Reggie Bullock, Theo Pinson and the Dallas Mavericks (21–18), who have five games in a row.

Bullock returned to the Dallas starting lineup for the first time in four games, scoring 15 points in 23 minutes as the Mavericks rolled to a 130–106 road victory over Houston.

Bullock notched a season-high five 3-pointers, four in the first quarter, and contributed seven rebounds and four assists in his third game, with at least 15 points in the last six.

Dallas is 11–2 when Bullock has multiple 3-pointers this season.

Bullock started in place of Luka Doncic, who was out with a right ankle sprain.

Pinson was scoreless and missed a pair of 3-point attempts in three minutes.


Danny Green, who had been listed as questionable for the game with left calf tightness, had six points on a pair of 3-pointers with two rebounds and a block in 14 minutes of Philadelphia’s 119–100 home win over San Antonio.

Green will be honored at halftime of Saturday’s Carolina home game against Virginia for his $1 million gift to Carolina last year to endow a scholarship in the men’s basketball program.


Harrison Barnes collected nine points, nine rebounds and two assists in Sacramento’s 121–111 loss at Denver.


Nassir Little contributed eight points and eight rebounds in Portland’s 114–101 home loss to Cleveland. He has started in his last 12 games after coming off the bench in the first 21.


For the third consecutive Los Angeles Lakers game, their 134–118 home win over Atlanta, Wayne Ellington didn’t play. No injury has been reported and all three game reports just say “DNP (Coach’s Decision).”

Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Off Friday
Season statistics —
25 games, 20.2 points, 41.8 FG%, 35.4 3FG%, 86.5 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists
Up next — 7 p.m. Saturday at Detroit; 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Washington
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
121–111 loss
at Denver — Started; 34 minutes, 9 points, 3–8 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, +3, 8.1 game score
Season statistics
— 36 games, 16.3 points, 44.6 FG%, 41.8 3FG%, 83.2 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Up next — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Sacramento; 10 p.m. Monday vs. Cleveland
———————————————
Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls center
130–122 win
vs. Washington — 10 minutes, 8 points, 4–5 FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, +6, 9.4 game score
Season statistics — 24 games, 3.9 points, 58.9 FG%, 4.4 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Up next — 7:30 Sunday at Dallas; 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Detroit
———————————————
Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
130–106 win
at Houston — Started; 23 minutes, 15 points, 5–10 FG, 5–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +20, 14.9 game score
Season statistics —
32 games, 6.6 points, 37.7 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 76.5 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Up next —
7:30 Sunday vs. Chicago; 7:30 Wednesday at New York, ESPN
———————————————
Ed Davis, Cleveland Cavaliers center
114–101 win
at Portland — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics —
12 games, 1.6 points, 75.0 FG%, 16.7 FT%, 3.1 rebounds, 0.1 of an assist
Up next — 8:30 Sunday at Golden State, NBATV; 10 p.m. Monday at Sacramento
———————————————
Wayne Ellington, Los Angeles Lakers guard
134–118 win
vs. Atlanta — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics —
27 games, 6.4 points, 38.7 FG%, 37.7 3FG%, 45 FT, 1.7 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Up next — 9:30 p.m. Sunday vs. Memphis; 10 p.m. Wednesday at Sacramento
———————————————
Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers forward
119–100 win
vs. San Antonio — 14 minutes, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 2–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 block, +9, 6.0 game score
Season statistics — 27 games, 6.7 points, 40.8 FG%, 38.2 3FG%, 8–8 FT, 2.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Up next — 8 p.m. Monday at Houston; 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Charlotte
———————————————
Justin Jackson, Phoenix Suns forward
Off FridayNBA season statistics — 3 games, 3.3 points, 50% FG, 50% 3FGP, 1.3 rebounds
G League season statistics for Texas Legends (Mavericks affiliate) — 10 games, 22.7 points, 47.3% FG, 41.4% 3FG, 79.2 FT%, 7.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals
Up next — 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Miami; 7:30 Tuesday at Toronto
———————————————
Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
Off Friday
Season statistics — 38 games, 11.9 points, 46.4 FG%, 44.4 3FG%, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Up next — 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Miami; 7:30 Tuesday at Toronto
———————————————
Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers wing
114–101 loss
vs. Cleveland — Started; 31 minutes, 8 points, 3–9 FG, 2–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 turnover, -9, 3.5 game score
Season statistics —
33 games, 8.9 points, 45.9 FG%, 31.2 3P%, 70.1 FT%, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Up next — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Sacramento; 10 p.m. Monday vs. Brooklyn
———————————————
Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard
130–106 win
at Houston — 3 minutes, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, -3, -1.4 game score
NBA season statistics — 10 games, 2.5 points, 29.6 FG, 25.0 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists
G League season statistics with Maine Celtics —
13 games, 15.1 points, 43.4 FG%, 40.6 3FG%, 88.5 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.2 steals
Up next — 7:30 Sunday vs. Chicago; 7:30 Wednesday at New York, ESPN
———————————————
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
121–109 loss
vs. Milwaukee — 6 minutes, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, +8, 5.7 game score
Season NBA statistics —
12 games, 3.6 points, 62.1 FG%, 33.3% 3P%, 46.2% FT, 3.0 rebounds
Season G League statistics — 4 games, 18.0 points, 47.8 FG%, 33.33P%, 85.7 FT%, 9.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 2.6 blocks
Up next — noon Sunday vs. San Antonio; 10 p.m. Monday at Portland
———————————————
Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
130–122 win
vs. Washington — 31 minutes, 21 points, 7–8 FG, 4–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, +7, 18.1 game score
Season statistics —
18 games, 11.3 points, 44.5 FG%, 38.6 3P%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Up next — 7:30 Sunday at Dallas; 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Detroit
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