By R.L. Bynum
Coby White continues to play well and earn the love of Chicago Bulls fans.
He scored season-highs of 31 points and eight 3-pointers to lead Chicago to back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Two nights after scoring 23 points in an upset victory over Milwaukee, White made 10 of 17 shots, including 8 of 13 from outside the arc, and had nine rebounds and six assists as the host Bulls knocked off the New Orleans Pelicans 124–118.
How good was it for White? There were chants of “Coby, Coby, Coby” from the United Center crowd in the game’s last five minutes.
After only scoring three first-half points, White scored 28 in the second half — his career-high for a half — on 7 of 9 3-point shooting.
White’s 27.2 game score was the third-highest of his career, behind only a 31.3 game score at Sacramento (36 points, four 3-pointers, seven assists and three rebounds) on Jan. 6, 2021, and a 27.9 game score his rookie year against Oklahoma City (35 points, six 3-pointers, seven rebounds, three assists) on Feb. 25, 2020.
White has scored four or more 3-pointers in seven of the last eight games, shooting at least 40% from outside the arc in each game of that stretch after struggling with his shot early in the season.
“The coaching staff and my teammates, they trust me. They find me,” White said. “If I don’t shoot it, I get cussed out, so I might as well shoot it.”
The eight 3-pointers tied his career high, which he also made against the Pelicans on Feb. 20, 2021. White, who fell five points short of his career-scoring high of 36 against Sacramento on Jan. 6, 2021, has scored at least 14 points in the last eight games.
White helped secure the victory on a pass just out of the reach of the Pelicans’ Jonas Valanciunas to Patrick Williams with 20 seconds left for an alley-oop dunk to give the Bulls a six-point lead.
“As long as I threw it up high enough that Valanciunas couldn’t get it, I knew that Pat is so athletic and bouncy and springy that he could go get it,” White said. “That’s becoming his thing: ending the game with monster dunks.”
The Bulls (7–14) are 13th in the Eastern Conference.
Cole Anthony rebounded from scoring only four points in Friday’s 130–125 Orlando home win over Washington with 20 points and five rebounds on Saturday night. The latter came in a 129–101 defeat at Brooklyn, ending the Magic’s nine-game win streak.
Orlando (14–6) is second in the Eastern Conference, leading the Southeast Division by three games.
Cameron Johnson had 14 points, three 3-pointers, seven rebounds and three assists for the Nets (10–9), with Day’Ron Sharpe contributing five points, six rebounds, two assists and a block.
Walker Kessler collected 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in Utah’s 118–113 overtime win Saturday over Portland.
Harrison Barnes scored 11 points and pulled down three rebounds in Sacramento’s 123–117 Saturday victory over reigning NBA champion Denver.
The Kings (11–7) play New Orleans at 10 p.m. Monday (TNT) in the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament.
Nassir Little combined for six points and four rebounds in two Phoenix home games, a 119–11 Friday loss to Denver and a 116–111 Saturday win over Memphis.
Leaky Black didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Charlotte’s 129–128 win at Brooklyn or in the Hornets’ 123–117 home Saturday loss to Minnesota.
Reggie Bullock didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Houston’s 107–97 Saturday road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
In the G League, Justin Jackson scored 23 points and three 3-pointers with four rebounds and three assists in the Texas Legends’ 110–109 Saturday home loss to Memphis. Theo Pinson had 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Legends. While recovering from a calf injury, Tony Bradley still hasn’t made his season debut.
On Friday, Pete Nance had 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals in the Cleveland Charge’s 113–109 loss to Sioux Falls.
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 31 games, 6.9 points, 44.8 FG%, 32.2 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Team record: 18–26, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Thunder 122, Bucks 102 — 24:15, 17 points, 7–9 FG, 3–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 turnovers, 4 fouls, -7
Friday: Nuggets 102, Bucks 100 — 16:23, 9 points, 4–8 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -12
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas
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 Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 45 games, 10.7 points, 43.2 FG%, 35.8 3P%, 87.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 31–14, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Rockets 111, Spurs 105— Started; 24:37, 6 points, 2–6 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, -2
Thursday: Spurs 126, (at) Jazz 109 — Started; 21:51, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, -5
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 38 games, 4.0 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 11–35, 14 in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Celtics 119, Pacers 104— 6:18, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, -2
Friday: Pacers 117, (at) Thunder 114— Played less than a minute
Next game — 7:30 Monday at Atlanta
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.
Season statistics — 28 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 29–15, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 38 games, 11.3 points, 39.4 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 23–23, 9th in Western Conference
Thursday: Blazers 127, Heat 110 — Didn’t start; 33:30, 20 points, 8–19 FG, 4–12 3FG, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, +15
Friday: Raptors 110, Blazers 98 — Didn’t start; 28:41, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assist, 3 turnovers, -1
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday at Boston, Peacock
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard
Season statistics — 32 games, 6.4 points, 45.1 FG%, 31.3 3FG%, 89.2 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Team record: 12–31, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Knicks 120, Nets 86 — Started; 25:13, 6 points, 2–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, -26
Friday: Celtics 130, Nets 126 — Started; 19:43, 6 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 fouls, -10
Next game — 9 p.m. Sunday at Los Angeles Clippers
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 — 41 games, 7.8 points, 60.3 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 67.6 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 12–31, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Knicks 120, Nets 86 — Started; 23:51, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, team-low -36
Friday: Celtics 130, Nets 126 — Started; 19:14, 5 points, 1–3 FG, 3–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -4
Next game — 9 p.m. Sunday at Los Angeles Clippers
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 — 24 games, 18.6 points, 45.1 FG%, 36.3 3PFG, 79.7 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 23–22, 9th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: Bulls 138, Clippers 110 — Started; 30:37, 27 points, 9–16 FG, 6–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +15
Thursday: Bulls 120, (at) Timberwolves 115 — Started; 29:56, 22 points, 6–16 FG, 3–10 3FG, 7–9 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, +6
Saturday: Bulls 114, Celtics 111 — Started; 32:17, 22 points, 6–16 FG, 5–9 3FG, 5–5 FT, 1 rebound, 7 assists, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, +5
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday vs. Los Angeles Lakers
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
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 27 games, 11.1 points, 46.2 FG%, 35.1 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 steals
Thursday: (at) Austin Spurs 110, Capital City 103 — Started; 37 minutes, 15 points, 6–11 FG, 3–7 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 2 blocks, -4
Friday: Capital City 112, (at) Austin Spurs 96 — Started; 36 minutes, 10 points, 4–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 block, +24
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Wisconsin Herd
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 25 games, 5.4 points, 44.2 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 68.4 FT%, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.4 of a block
Thursday: Cleveland Charge 113, Birmingham 104 — Didn’t start; 17 minutes, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 1 block, -11
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Cleveland Charge
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 24 games, 18.2 points, 43.3 FG%, 39.0 3P%, 88.1 FT%, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: (at) Rio Grande Valley Vipers 126, South Bay 119 — Started; 32 minutes, 24 points, 7–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -14
Thursday: Mexico Citiy Capitanes 123, South Bay 113 — Didn’t start; 33 minutes, 21 points, 7–10 FG, 3–4 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -4
Next game — 7:30 Saturday vs. Mexico City Capitanes
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 17 games, 15.5 points, 50.5 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 11.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: Austin 127, (at) Oklahoma City Blue 112 — Started; 34 minutes, 13 points, 6–16 FG, 1–5 3FG, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 1 block +4
Thursday: Austin Spurs 110, Capital City 103 — Started; 38 minutes, 11 points, 4–8 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–3 FT, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +5
Friday: Capital City 112, Austin Spurs 96 — Started; 37 minutes, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, -16
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Capital City Go-Go
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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
Season NBA statistics — 14 games, 2.9 points, 55.2 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 1.3 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist
Wednesday in NBA with Bucks: Thunder 122, Bucks 102 — 29:42, 11 points, 4–7 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +3
Friday in NBA with Bucks: Nuggets 102, Bucks 100 — 12:15, 0–1 FG, 0–1 2FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, +2
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Noblesville Boom
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 20 games, 19.8 points, 48.9 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 92.0 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: Noblesville Boom 95, Wisconsin 90 — Started; 31 minutes, 23 points, 9–12 FG, 5–8 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -2
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Noblesville Boom
Photo via @chicagobulls
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