Tar Heels in NBA: Anthony plays well but can’t make plays at end to pull off upset of Celtics; Bullock has 8 in Mavs romp

By R.L. Bynum

Cole Anthony played a good all-around game as Orlando challenged the reigning Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics in the Magic’s home opener.

However, it came apart in the final minutes as Boston moved to 3–0 and Orlando fell to 0–3 after the Celtics’ 126–120 victory Saturday night.

With the score tied, Anthony missed two free-throw attempts with 5:21 left. He was called for charging with 1:49 left and missed a running dunk attempt with 41.9 seconds remaining. Orlando trailed by six on both plays on both of those last two plays.

Starting and playing 31 minutes with Jalen Suggs out because of a sprained right ankle, Anthony collected 14 points, nine rebounds, six assists and only two turnovers, shooting 6 of 13 from the floor and 2 of 5 from 3-pointer range.

Justin Jackson was one of three Boston reserves who didn’t play (coach’s decision). Only five Celtics played more than 21 minutes, led by Jayson Tatum’s 40 points in 38 minutes.


In Chicago’s 128–96 home loss to Cleveland, Coby White had a career-worst plus/minus of -30. White had five points on 2 of 8 shooting while missing all five 3-point attempts. The second-worst plus/minus among the Bulls was -19 for Zach LaVine, who scored 23 points.

Tony Bradley played four scoreless minutes with two rebounds in his season debut for Chicago.


The Dallas Mavericks rolled to a 137–96 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their home opener, with Reggie Bullock contributing eight points, two 3-pointers, three rebounds and a steal. In his season debut for the 1–1 Mavs, Theo Pinson contributed two points, two rebounds and an assist in seven minutes.


Harrison Barnes has struggled to find his shooting touch in Sacramento’s first two games. Barnes, who scored eight points in their 111–109 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, is shooting 33.3% from the floor and has missed all five 3-point attempts through two games.

Barnes, who scored nine points in the Kings’ opener, had seven rebounds and a steal in 34 minutes for the Kings, who are 0–2 for the first time since 2019–20.


Cameron Johnson is questionable for Phoenix’s home game Sunday against the Clippers with a right hip contusion.

Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard

Age 22 | 6–3, 185 | third NBA season | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)

126–120 Saturday loss vs. Boston — 32 minutes, 14 points, 6–13 FG, 2–5 3FG, 0–2 FT, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, plus/minus of 0, 11.9 game score
Season statistics — 2 games, 19.5 points, 56.0 FG%, 60 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 turnovers, 1.0 steal, 1.0 block
Next games — 7:30 Monday at New York, NBATV; 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cleveland
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward

Age 30 | 6–8, 225 | 11th NBA season | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

111–109 Saturday loss vs. L.A. Clippers — Started; 34 minutes, 8 points, 2–10 FG, 0–3 3FG, 4–7 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +1, 2.3 game score
Season statistics — 2 games, 8.5 points, 33.3 FG%, 0 of 5 3FG, 55.6 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Next games 8:30 Sunday at Golden State; 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Memphis
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Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls center

Age 24 | 6–10, 248 | sixth NBA season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)

128–96 Saturday loss vs. Cleveland (season debut) — 4 minutes, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, -6
Next games 8 p.m. Monday vs. Boston; 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Indiana
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Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks small forward

Age 31 | 6–6, 205 | 10th NBA season | UNC 2010–13 (3 seasons)

137–96 Saturday win vs. Memphis — Started; 24 minutes, 8 points, 3–5 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 fouls, +28, 6.8 game score
Season statistics 2 games, 9.0 points, 54.5 FG%, 55.6 3P%, 1 of 1 FT, 2.5 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist
Next games 7:30 Tuesday at New Orleans, TNT; 7:30 Thursday at Brooklyn, NBATV
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Justin Jackson, Boston Celtics forward

Age 27 | 6–8, 220| sixth NBA season | UNC 2014–17 (3 seasons)

126–120 Saturday win at Orlando — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics Hasn’t played in any of Boston’s three games
Next games — 8 p.m. Monday at Chicago; 7:30 Friday vs. Cleveland
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Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns power forward

Age 26 | 6–8, 210 | fourth NBA season | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)

Off Saturday
Season statistics 2 games, 10.0 points, 36.4 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Next games 10 p.m. Sunday at L.A. Clippers, NBATV; 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Golden State, TNT
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Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center

Age 21 | 7–0, 245 | rookie NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

Off Saturday
Season statistics 2 games, 9.0 points, 87.5 FG, 44.4 FT, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.0 blocks
Next games 7 p.m. Sunday at New Orleans; 8 p.m. Monday at Houston
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Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers small forward

Age 22 | 6–5, 220 | fourth NBA season | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)

Off Saturday
Season statistics 2 games, 4.5 points, 57.1 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 1.5 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist
Next games 3:30 Sunday at L.A. Lakers; 10 p.m. Monday vs. Denver, NBATV
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Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard

Age 26 | 6–5, 212 | fifth NBA season | UNC 2014–18 (4 seasons)

137–96 Saturday win vs. Memphis (season debut) — 7 minutes, 2 points, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, +8, 3.3 game score
Next games 7:30 Tuesday at New Orleans, TNT; 7:30 Thursday at Brooklyn, NBATV
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Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center

Age 20 | 6–9, 265 | second NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

Off Saturday
Season statistics 2 games, 4.0 points, 27.3 FG%, 0–1 3PFG, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.0 steal, 0.5 of an assist
Next games 8 p.m. Monday at Memphis; 7:30 Wednesday at Milwaukee, ESPN
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Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard

Age 22 | 6–4, 195 | fourth NBA season| UNC 2018–19 (1 season)

128–96 Saturday loss vs. Cleveland 24 minutes, 5 points, 2–8 FG, 0–5 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 fouls, -30
Season statistics 2 games, 10.0 points, 41.2 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist
Next games 8 p.m. Monday vs. Boston; 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Indiana
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Out while recovering from surgery
Memphis forward Danny Green will miss most of the season after surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee suffered in May.

Photo via @OrlandoMagic

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