By R.L. Bynum
Harrison Barnes rebounded from his worst game of the young season with his best to lead Sacramento to a big victory.
Barnes, who was scoreless in Monday’s loss at Golden State, collected 20 points and nine rebounds, both season-highs, in addition to three assists and two steals, as the 4–6 Kings beat the Cleveland Cavaliers at home Wednesday 127–120.
The 22.0 game score was his highest since a 22.3 in a 27-point game last season on March 3 against San Antonio.
“I have confidence in myself,” said Barnes, who eclipsed the 3,100 career rebound mark in the game.
“Being in the league as long as I have, I’ve definitely had my fair share of ups and downs, as in life,” he said. “I’m confident in this team, confident in my ability, confident that things are going to work out or continue to trend upward. Although some nights are good, some nights are not, I don’t think it changes how my spirit is.”
Barnes was 11 of 41 from the floor in the previous five games before making 6 of 8 shots against the Cavs, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range. He had gone 5 of 30 from 3-point range in the first nine games.
“I’ve said this before; I’m not worried about him,” Sacramento coach Mike Brown said. “He’s been around a long time. He’s still been doing the little things for us, rebounded, defended, to me was huge. He’s been huge for us. I thought he had a couple of key rebounds and a couple of key defensive tops tonight.”
Rookie Walker Kessler collected 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks in 16 minutes of Utah’s 125–119 victory at Atlanta. It was Kessler’s first double-figure scoring game since scoring 12 in the season opener against Denver. It was the sixth time this season he’s blocked multiple shots in a game for the 10–3 Utah, which leads the Western Conference.
Kessler’s 14.8 game score was a career-high, topping the 12.6 on opening night.
Nassir Little had five points, three rebounds and a block in 15 minutes as Portland won 105–94 at Charlotte. The Blazers are tied for second in the Western Conference at 8–3.
Reggie Bullock went scoreless for the second consecutive game as the Dallas Mavericks lost 94–87 at Orlando. Bullock missed all four shots, three from 3-point range, and pulled down four rebounds. He missed all five shots in Monday’s win over Brooklyn.
Theo Pinson didn’t play for the 6–4 Mavericks (coach’s decision) for the eighth consecutive game and ninth time in 10 games.
Cole Anthony missed his seventh consecutive game for Orlando with a right internal oblique injury.
Justin Jackson played six scoreless minutes with a rebound and an assist in Boston’s 128–112 home victory over Detroit.
In Brooklyn’s 112–85 home win over New York, Day’Ron Sharpe played five scoreless minutes with two rebounds.
Coby White missed his sixth straight Bulls game as he deals with a left quadriceps contusion. Tony Bradley didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Chicago’s 115–111 home loss to New Orleans.
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Age 22 | 6–3, 185 | third NBA season | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
94–87 Wednesday win vs. Dallas — Anthony is out indefinitely with a right internal oblique injury and missed his seventh consecutive game
Season statistics — 4 games, 15.5 points, 41.5 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 73.4 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 turnovers, 1.0 steal
Next games — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Phoenix; 7 p.m. Monday vs. Charlotte, Bally Sports Southeast
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 225 | 11th NBA season | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
127–120 Wednesday win vs. Cleveland — Started; 35 minutes, 20 points, 6–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 6–8 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, +10
Season statistics — 10 games, 10.9 points, 40.5 FG%, 20.6 3FG%, 79.1 FT%, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Next games — 10:30 Friday at Los Angeles Lakers; 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Golden State
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Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls center
Age 24 | 6–10, 248 | sixth NBA season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
115–111 Wednesday loss vs. New Orleans — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics — 3 games, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 1.3 rebounds
Next games — 8 p.m. Sunday vs. Denver; 8 p.m. Wednesday at New Orleans
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Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks small forward
Age 31 | 6–6, 205 | 10th NBA season | UNC 2010–13 (3 seasons)
94–87 Wednesday loss at Orlando — Started; 26 minutes, 0 points, 0–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 5 fouls, -4
Season statistics — 10 games, 4.8 points, 29.1 FG%, 30.2 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist
Next games — 7 p.m. Thursday at Washington; 8:30 Saturday vs. Portland
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Justin Jackson, Boston Celtics forward
Age 27 | 6–8, 220| sixth NBA season | UNC 2014–17 (3 seasons)
128–112 Wednesday win vs. Detroit — 6 minutes, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 foul, -8
Season statistics — 3 games, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist
Next games — 7:30 Friday vs. Denver, NBATV; 7 p.m. Saturday at Detroit
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Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center
Age 21 | 7–0, 245 | rookie NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
125–119 Wednesday win at Atlanta — 16 minutes, 12 points, 6–6 FG, 0–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 2 fouls, +14
Season statistics — 10 games, 6.1 points, 74.3 FG, 56.3 FT, 5.0 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 1.7 blocks
Next games — 6 p.m. Saturday at Washington; 7:30 Sunday at Philadelphia
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Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers small forward
Age 22 | 6–5, 220 | fourth NBA season | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
105–95 Wednesday win at Charlotte — 15 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, +3
Season statistics — 11 games, 6.1 points, 52.1 FG%, 46.2 3P%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Next games — 8 p.m. Thursday at New Orleans; 8:30 Saturday at Dallas
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Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard
Age 27 | 6–5, 212 | fifth NBA season | UNC 2014–18 (4 seasons)
94–87 Wednesday loss at Orlando — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics (1 game) — 7 minutes, 2 points, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, +8, 3.3 game score
Next games — 7 p.m. Thursday at Washington; 8:30 Saturday vs. Portland
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Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 21 | 6–9, 265 | second NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
112–85 Wednesday win vs. New York — 5 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -5
Season statistics — 8 games, 2.5 points, 42.1 FG%, 0–1 3P, 3.4 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Next games — 4 p.m. Saturday at Los Angeles Clippers; 9:30 Sunday at Los Angeles Lakers, NBATV
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Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
Age 22 | 6–4, 195 | fourth NBA season| UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
115–111 Wednesday loss vs. New Orleans — Missed his sixth consecutive game with a left quadriceps contusion
Season statistics — 7 games, 8.1 points, 38.2 FG%, 29.4 3P%, 1.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Next games — 8 p.m. Sunday vs. Denver; 8 p.m. Wednesday at New Orleans
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Out while recovering from surgery
Phoenix forward Cameron Johnson is expected to return in early December or as late as early January after having right knee surgery on Nov. 8. His season statistics: 8 games, 13.0 points, 44.6 FG%, 43.1 3P%, 72.7 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists
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.
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Get an explanation of the game score metric here.
Photo
tarheeltribune.com 
