Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson, White, Anthony and Barnes playing well; Nets, Magic surging

By R.L. Bynum

Cameron Johnson and Coby White are playing well heading into Sunday’s Brooklyn-Chicago game, while Cole Anthony, Harrison Barnes and their teams are on a roll.

Johnson put up a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals Saturday in the Brooklyn Nets’ 112–97 home win over Miami to end a three-game losing streak, with White and the Bulls playing at Brooklyn at 7:30 on Sunday.

Johnson gave the Nets energy early with 12 first-quarter points.

“I was trying to be in the right positions, stay aggressive,” he said. “I think an emphasis today was to come out and make a statement from the beginning and make them have to climb an uphill battle.”

Day’Ron Sharpe contributed four points, four rebounds and two blocks in 12 minutes.


White had 14 points, three rebounds and three rebounds Friday in Chicago’s 121-108 loss to Toronto that eliminated the Bulls from contention in the In-Season Tournament at 0–3.

White is averaging 17.7 points in the last four games.


Anthony collected 16 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals in Orlando’s 113–96 Friday home win over the Boston Celtics for the Magic’s sixth consecutive victory.

The In-Season Tournament win gave Orlando a 3–1 record lead in Group C play, ahead of the 2–1 Celtics.


Barnes scored 18 points and two 3-pointers with four rebounds and two assists in Sacramento’s 124–111 Friday victory at Minnesota. The In-Season Tournament win clinched a spot in the quarterfinals as the Kings improved to 3–0 in Group C.

“It’s always good to compete for something else,” said Barnes, who scored 10 of his points in the first quarter.


Walker Kessler returned for Utah on Saturday after missing seven games with a left elbow sprain. He came off the bench for the first time this season, collecting 11 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in the Jazz’s 104–100 win over New Orleans.


Nassir Little had two points and four rebounds in 16 minutes of Phoenix’s 110–89 win at Memphis.


Reggie Bullock didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Houston’s 105–86 Friday home win over Denver. He’s played in only two of the Rockets’ last seven games.


After contributing 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and five steals in the Greensboro Swarm’s 111–100 Friday loss to Maine in the G League, Leaky Black got called up to the Charlotte roster with the Hornets playing Sunday night against Orlando.


The Texas Legends lost two home games against Mexico City this weekend, 119–116 on Friday and 117–84 on Saturday.

Justin Jackson had 17 points and five 3-pointers Friday and 22 points with five 3-pointers Saturday. Theo Pinson had 11 points, nine rebounds and six assists Friday, then collected eight points and two assists on Saturday. Tony Bradley still hasn’t made his season debut.


Pete Nance had six points, nine rebounds and four assists in the Cleveland Charge’s 101–92 Friday loss at Motor City.

Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)

Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Kevin Porter
Season statistics 25 games, 6.9 points, 43.5 FG%, 27.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 Didn’t start; 20:11, 2 points, 0–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, -27
Next game 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Toronto


Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

Roster situation Starting power forward ahead of Jeremy Sochan
Season statistics 25 games, 13.2 points, 47.7 FG%, 41.0 3P%, 85.4 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Saturday in NBA Cup West final: Spurs 111, Thunder 109 — Started; 27:03, 6 points, 2–10 FG, 0–8 3FG, 2–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +15
Tuesday in NBA Cup championship game: Knicks 124, Spurs 113 — Started; 23:28, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, +4
Next game 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Washington


Roster situation Third-string center behind Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff
Season statistics 22 games, 4.8 points, 58.3 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.4 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Sunday: Wizards 108, Pacers 89 Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game 7 p.m. Thursday vs. New York


Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)

Roster situation Starting small forward ahead of Bruce Brown
Season statistics 24 games, 11.4 points, 45.7 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 78.4 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Monday: Nuggets 128, Rockets 125 Started; 43:03, 13 points, 5–9 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, +8
Next game 9 p.m. Thursday vs. Orlando


Season statistics — 18 games, 8.1 points, 34.0 FG%, 26.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Sunday: Blazers 136, Warriors 131 Didn’t start; 12:00, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–2 3FG, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -9
Next game 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Sacramento


Season statistics 18 games, 6.3 points, 48.8 FG%, 37.8 3FG%, 95.2 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 23:20, 13 points, 4–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, team-high +31
Next game 7:30 Thursday vs. Miami


Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

Roster situation Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics 24 games, 7.1 points, 59.6 FG%, 27.8 3P%, 63.1 FT%, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 16:52, 10 points, 4–6 FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 fouls, +14
Next game 7:30 Thursday vs. Miami


Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)

Roster situation Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 10 games, 22.0 points, 44.5 FG%, 29.2 3PFG, 81.3 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Sunday: Pelicans 114, Bulls 104 Started; 28:28, 20 points, 8–18 FG, 1–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -10
Wednesday: Bulls 127, Cavaliers 111 Started; 30:22, 25 points, 8–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 6–7 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -1
Next game 7:30 Friday at Cleveland


Out for season

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks


Season statistics — 14 games, 10.7 points, 43.5 FG%, 21.6 3P%, 73.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals
Sunday: Capital City 127, Delaware Blue Coats 107 Started; 27 minutes, 15 points, 7–11 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 steal, +4
Tuesday: Delaware Blue Coats 120, Capital City 110 Started; 37 minutes, 11 points, 5–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, -2
Next game 3:30 Saturday vs. Oklahoma City Blue in Orlando, Fla., ESPN News


Season statistics — 12 games, 5.5 points, 45.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 of a block
Sunday: Rio Grande Valley Vipers 133, Birmingham 127 Didn’t start; 25 minutes, 8 points, 4–4 FG, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 2 blocks, +12
Tuesday: Birmingham 142, Rio Grande Valley Vipers 111 Didn’t start; 19 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, +7
Next game 7:30 Saturday at Iowa Wolves in Orlando, Fla.


Season statistics — 13 games, 18.8 points, 43.0 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 89.2 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 of a steals
Saturday: Rip City Remix 122, South Bay 116 Inactive for game
Tuesday: South Bay 127, San Diego Clippers 118 Didn’t start; 4 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 assists, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, -2
Next game noon Saturday vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce in Orlando, Fla., NBATV


Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 8 games, 16.3 points, 51.1 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 58.8 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Saturday: (at) Texas Legends 126, Austin 122 Didn’t start; 35 minutes, 24 points, 10–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +1
Next game noon Friday vs. Stockton Kings in Orlando, Fla., in the quarterfinals of the Winter Showcase Cup, ESPNU


Season G League statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 7 games, 37 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Sunday in NBA: Nets 127, Bucks 82 9:24; 0–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, -13
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 Inactive for game
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU


Season statistics — 6 games, 16.0 points, 47.9 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 13–13 FT, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Saturday: Grand Rapids Gold 107, Wisconsin 103 Didn’t play; 23 minutes, 16 points, 7–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 1 block, -5
Sunday: Wisconsin 107, Iowa Wolves 102 Didn’t start; 24 minutes, 13 points, 3–10 FG, 1–6 3FG, 5–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers, +11
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 Didn’t start; 23 minutes, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 block, +3
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU


Photo via @brooklynnets

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