By R.L. Bynum
After working his way back from offseason knee surgery, there hasn’t been much of a reward for that for Danny Green — until Thursday night.
On a night when both teams rested their starters, Green scored 21 points and five 3-pointers as the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled to a 118–94 road victory over the Orlando Magic. In addition to all five Orlando starters resting, sixth man Cole Anthony didn’t play.
“It was fun to have the roles reversed a little bit,” said Green, who also had three rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block. “The starters did a great job of taking care of business and getting us home court [in the first round], and they got a chance to rest. They earned it, and we’ve got to hold the fort down by continuing to play good basketball and build good habits.”
It was Green’s best scoring game since he had 29 points for Philadelphia in a win over Miami on Jan. 12, 2021. His game score of 19.7 was his best since he put up a 23.1 in a 28-point, five-rebound game in a Sixers road win over the Los Angeles Lakers on March 25, 2021. The five 3-pointers were his most since scoring six on April 7, 2022, in an 18-point game for the Sixers in a loss at Toronto.
When Green tore his ACL and LCL while during a playoff game in May for Philadelphia against Miami, it looked like his career might be over. The Memphis Grizzlies acquired him in the offseason and gave him a chance but dealt him to Houston at the trade deadline. After the Rockets waived him, the Cavaliers picked him up.
Green had played only 45 minutes in six games for Cleveland, getting into only two of the previous 14 games for a total of eight minutes.
When the Magic and Cavaliers played Tuesday in Orlando with all the regulars playing, Anthony collected 15 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Cleveland (51–30) is fourth in the Eastern Conference and would be the No. 4 seed and meet No. 5-seed New York if positioning doesn’t change.
It’s been an eventful week for Harrison Barnes’ Sacramento Kings, who clinched their first Pacific Division title in 20 years with a 121–103 road blowout of New Orleans. Barnes scored 16 points in that game, then put up the same total in Wednesday’s 123–119 loss at Dallas.
If positioning doesn’t change, the Kings would be the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and face No. 6-seed Golden State in the first round.
In that Mavericks win, Reggie Bullock had three points in 17 minutes and Theo Pinson didn’t play (coach’s decision.)
Dallas (38–42) is a half-game back of Oklahoma City for the Western Conference’s 10th and final play-in tournament spot.
Bullock is building a resort for his family and friends on a five-acre island in Belize.
Cameron Johnson, Day’Ron Sharpe and the Brooklyn Nets continue to fight to avoid the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. The Nets split two games this week and lead Miami by one game for the last playoff spot.
Johnson scored 14 points, two 3-pointers, four rebounds and three assists in Tuesday’s 107–102 home loss to Minnesota and had 15 points, three 3-pointers and five rebounds in Wednesday’s 123–108 win at Detroit. Sharpe played three scoreless minutes against the Wolves and had 10 points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes against the Pistons.
If positioning doesn’t change, Brooklyn (44–36) will be the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference and meet No. 2-seed Boston in the first round.
When Coby White scored 14 points and two 3-pointers in Chicago’s 105–92 loss Wednesday at Milwaukee, he passed Michael Jordan on the Bulls’ all-time 3-pointers list. White is fifth on the list with 557 to top Jordan’s total of 555.
White scored seven points in Tuesday’s 123–105 home loss to Atlanta.
Chicago has clinched a spot in the play-in tournament. The Bulls (38–42) have a four-game lead over Indiana for that last spot. If the standings don’t change, Chicago would be the No. 10 seed and meet No. 9 Toronto in a play-in game.
Portland’s Nassir Little (left ankle sprain) and Utah’s Walker Kessler (concussion) have missed both their teams’ games this week.
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Age 22 | 6–3, 185 | third NBA season | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
117–113 Tuesday loss vs. Cleveland — 26 minutes, 15 points, 4–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 6–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +10, 15.7 game score
118–94 Thursday loss vs. Cleveland — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics — 59 games, 13.0 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 89.4 FT%, 4.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists
Next games — 7:30 Friday at Brooklyn; 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami (final game of season)
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 225 | 11th NBA season | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
121–103 Tuesday win at New Orleans — Started; 31 minutes, 16 points, 5–9 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5–5 FT, 1 assist, 3 steals, +17, 15.4 game score
123–119 Wednesday loss at Dallas — Started; 30 minutes, 16 points, 7–14 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 fouls, -2, 11.3 game score
Season statistics — 80 games, 15.0 points, 47.0 FG%, 36.7 3FG%, 84.8 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Next games — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Golden State; 3:30 Sunday at Denver (last regular-season game)
Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks small forward
Age 32 | 6–6, 205 | 10th NBA season | UNC 2010–13 (3 seasons)
123–119 Wednesday win vs. Sacramento — Started; 17 minutes, 3 points, 1–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, +5, 2.2 game score
Season statistics — 77 games, 7.2 points, 40.9 FG%, 38.0 3P%, 70.3 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Next games — 8:30 Friday vs. Chicago; 3:30 Sunday vs. San Antonio (last regular-season game)
Danny Green, Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Age 35 | 6–6, 205 | 13th NBA season | UNC 2005–09 (4 seasons)
117–113 Tuesday win at Orlando — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
118–94 Thursday win at Orlando — 26 minutes, 21 points, 8–14 FG, 5–9 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +19, 19.7 game score
Season statistics — 10 games, 4.8 points, 45.9 FG%, 48.1 3FG%, 1–1 FT, 1.0 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist
Next games — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Charlotte (last regular-season game); playoff series TBD
Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 27 | 6–8, 210 | fourth NBA season | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
107–102 Tuesday loss vs. Minnesota — Started; 34 minutes, 14 points, 5–9 FG, 2–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 fouls, +7, 13.9 game score
123–108 Wednesday win at Detroit — Started; 29 minutes, 15 points, 6–8 FG, 3–5 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -5, 12.1 game score
Season statistics — 41 games, 15.4 points, 47.1 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 83.8 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Next games — 7:30 Friday vs. Orlando; 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia (last regular-season game)
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center
Age 21 | 7–0, 245 | rookie NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
135–133 OT Tuesday loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers and 114–108 Thursday loss vs. Oklahoma City— Didn’t play (concussion)
Season statistics — 74 games, 9.2 points, 72.0 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 51.6 FT%, 8.4 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist, 2.2 blocks
Next games — 3:30 Saturday vs. Denver; 3:30 Sunday at Los Angeles Lakers (final regular-season game)
Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 220 | third NBA season | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
119–109 Tuesday loss at Memphis and 92–85 Thursday loss at San Antonio — Didn’t play (left ankle sprain)
Season statistics — 54 games, 6.6 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.7 3P%, 71.7 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist
Next games — 4 p.m. Saturday at Los Angeles Clippers; 3:30 Sunday vs. Golden State (final game of season)
Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard
Age 27 | 6–5, 212 | fifth NBA season | UNC 2014–18 (4 seasons)
123–119 Wednesday win vs. Sacramento — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics — 38 games, 1.7 points, 32.8 FG%, 34.1 3P%, 81.8 FT, 1.1 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Next games — 8:30 Friday vs. Chicago; 3:30 Sunday vs. San Antonio (last regular-season game)
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 21 | 6–9, 265 | second NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
107–102 Tuesday loss vs. Minnesota — 3 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, +3, 0.7 game score
123–108 Wednesday win at Detroit — 12 minutes, 10 points, 4–6 FG, 2–6 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, +8, 11.9 game score
Season NBA statistics — 46 games, 4.7 points, 54.6 FG%, 6–11 3FG, 61.5 FT%, 4.1 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 0.6 of a block
Season G League statistics — 14 games, 16.3 points, 64.4 2PFG%, 21.1 3FG%, 57.1 FT%, 12.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 blocks, 12 double-doubles
Next games — 7:30 Friday vs. Orlando; 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia (last regular-season game)
Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
Age 23 | 6–4, 195 | fourth NBA season| UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
123–105 Tuesday loss vs. Atlanta — 22 minutes, 7 points, 3–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +5, 1.8 game score
105–92 Wednesday loss at Milwaukee — 25 minutes, 14 points, 6–10 FG, 2–4 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 turnovers, -2, 7.9 game score
Season statistics — 72 games, 9.5 points, 43.8 FG%, 37.2 3P%, 86.8 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Next games — 8:30 Friday at Dallas; 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Detroit (last regular-season game)
Bradley free agent
On Feb. 21, Chicago waived Tony Bradley. His season statistics: 12 games, 33 minutes, 19 points, 6–12 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4–4 FT, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
In the G League
Garrison Brooks, Westchester Knicks center
Age 23 | 6–10, 240 | Rookie | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Westchester’s G League season over
Season statistics — 37 games, 13.6 points, 62.3 2P FGP%, 0–20 3P, 59.5 FT%, 11.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 of a block, 24 double-doubles
Justin Jackson, Texas Legends forward
Age 28 | 6–8, 220 | Sixth pro season | UNC 2014–27 (3 seasons)
Texas’ G League season over
Season G League statistics — 14 games, 21.1 points, 44.2 FG%, 42.2 3FG%, 62.1 FT%, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Season NBA statistics (with Boston) — 23 games, 107 minutes, 20 points, 7–27 FG, 5–20 3FG, 17 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 blocks, 4 steals
Get an explanation of the game score metric here. Michael Jordan produced the all-time-high game score of 64.6 on March 28, 1990, in the Chicago Bulls’ 117–113 overtime win at Cleveland. Jordan had 69 points on 23 of 37 shooting (2 of 6 from 3-point range), made 21 of 23 free-throw attempts and collected 18 rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block.
Photo via @Cavs
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