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.


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“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.

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

Roster situation Reserve
Final regular-season statistics 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Monday: 115–102 win vs. Philadelphia — Didn’t start; 17:08, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 3 fouls, +4
Wednesday: 112–101 win vs. Portland — Didn’t start; 26:47, 9 points, 2–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 5–6 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +13
Friday: 139–120 win vs. Dallas — Didn’t start; 28:08, 15 points, 6–9 FG, 2–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +13
Sunday: 128–119 loss vs. Denver — Didn’t start; 25:09, 12 points, 5–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -5
Next game First round Game 1 as No. 2 seed in the West: 9 p.m. Sunday vs. the No. 7 seed (the winner of the 10 p.m. Tuesday play-in game between Phoenix and Portland), NBC, Peacock


Final regular-season G League statistics — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Team record: 17–65, 14th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 129–98 loss vs. Chicago Started; 23:57, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, team-low -31
Thursday: 119–108 loss vs. Chicago Started; 40:51, 14 points, 6–14 FG, 2–8 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -12
Friday: 140–117 loss vs. Miami Started; 31:43, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 5 fouls, -11
Sunday: 130–117 loss at Cleveland Didn’t start; 9:22, 0–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -3
The Wizards didn’t qualify for the postseason


Final regular-season statistics — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 46–36, 6th in Eastern Conference
Monday: 108–105 loss vs. New York 3:34, 0–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -2
Wednesday: 122–116 loss at Cleveland Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday: 124–102 win vs. Cleveland 9:04, 7 points, 3–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, -14
Sunday: 143–117 loss at Miami Started; 4 points, 2–6 FG, 0–1 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, -18
Next game First round, Game 1: 6 p.m. Saturday at New York, Prime Video


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 Tim Hardaway Jr.
Final regular-season statistics 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Monday: 137–132 win vs. Portland Started; 36:40, 17 points, 6–9 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4–5 FT, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, team-high +25
Wednesday: 136–119 win vs. Memphis Started; 29:43, 18 points, 8–12 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +7
Friday: 127–107 win vs. Oklahoma City and Sunday: 128118 win at San Antonio Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Next game First round, Game 1 as No. 3 seed in the West: 3:30 Saturday vs. No. 6 Minnesota, Prime Video


Final season G League statistics — 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Team record: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 96–90 loss at Brooklyn Started; 26:25, 8 points, 3–8 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, team-low -13
Wednesday: 137–111 loss at Detroit Didn’t start; 18:00, 0–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 4 fouls, team-low -21
Friday: 125–108 win vs. Brooklyn and Sunday: 126–106 loss at Philadelphia Didn’t play (right knee sprain)
The Bucks didn’t qualify for the postseason.


Roster situation Starting shooting guard
Final regular-season NBA statistics 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Team record: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 96–90 win vs. Milwaukee Started; 40:27, 11 points, 4–16 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -2
Thursday: 123–94 loss vs. Indiana Didn’t start; 20:04, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -17
Friday: 125–108 loss at Milwaukee Didn’t play (injury/illness)
Sunday: 125–108 loss at Milwaukee Started; 25:15, 8 points, 3–10 FG, 0–4 3G, 2–2FT, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, team-low -32
The Nets didn’t qualify for the postseason.


Final season G League statistics (Wisconsin Herd) — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 96–90 loss at Brooklyn Didn’t start; 33:43, 14 points, 5–12 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1– FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 6 fouls, -5
Wednesday: 137–111 loss at Detroit Didn’t start; 24:31, 16 points, 6–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -11
Friday: 125–108 win vs. Brooklyn Started; 33:58, 28 points, 10–17 FG, 5–9 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 4 fouls, +21
Sunday: 126–106 loss at Philadelphia Started; 38:15, 22 points, 8–20 FG, 3–12 3FG, 3–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -18
The Bucks didn’t qualify for the postseason.


Coby White, Charlotte Hornets forward
Age 26 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)

Roster situation Backup point guard behind LaMelo Ball
Final regular-season statistics — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 113–102 loss at Boston Didn’t play (groin injury)
Friday: 118–100 loss vs. Detroit Didn’t start; 16:10, 11 points, 3–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, team-low -20
Sunday: 110–96 win at New York Didn’t start; 16:18, 19 points, 6–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–6 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, team-high +18
Next game First round, Play-in Tournament: 7:30 Tuesday vs. Miami, Prime Video (loser eliminated; winner faces loser of the Philadelphia-Orlando game in another elimination game)


Out for season

— Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe (UCL tear in left thumb); season statistics: 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3P%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists
— 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


Waived

— Cole Anthony by the Phoenix Suns
— Tony Bradley by the Indiana Pacers


Final regular-season statistics — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.6 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Final playoffs statistics — 3 games, 14.3 points, 45.2 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 6–6 FT, 1.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
G League season over.


Final regular-season NBA statistics — 4 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +11
Final regular-season G League statistics — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.9 FT%, 12.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals
Friday with Spurs: 139–120 win vs. Dallas — 5:38, -2
G League season is over.


Final regular-season NBA season statistics — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
Final G League regular-season statistics — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Wednesday with Blazers: 112101 loss at San Antonio 2:12, 1 turnover, -4
Sunday with Blazers: 122110 win vs. Sacramento 1:39, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3G, -4
Next Blazers game First round, Play-in Tournament: 10 p.m. Tuesday at Phoenix, Prime Video (loser eliminated; winner faces San Antonio in first-round series beginning Sunday)


Photo via @brooklynnets

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