By R.L. Bynum
Cameron Johnson led six UNC alums scoring in double figures Saturday night with 18 points and was part of Brooklyn inflicting dubious NBA history on the Detroit Pistons, with the Nets having a chance to add to that.
Day’Ron Sharpe added 11 points in the Nets’ 126–115 victory. The Pistons tied the NBA record with their 26th consecutive loss as Brooklyn ended a five-game losing streak.
The Pistons, who would break the record with another loss to Brooklyn in Detroit on Tuesday, matched the Philadelphia 76ers’ skid from the end of the 2014–15 season to the beginning of the 2015–16 season.
Detroit put up a fight, taking a two-point lead after putting together a 12–4 third-quarter run. But Johnson ended the run with a layup, then assisted on a Nic Claxton dunk.
“You gotta be able to weather those storms and be able to fight back,” said Johnson, averaging 18.3 points while shooting 60.6% from the floor and making 52.9% of his 3-point attempts in the last three games. “The bench came in and did a fantastic job of giving that buffer.”
It was a strange situation for Johnson because Detroit’s first-year coach is Monty Williams, his former coach in Phoenix, who the Suns fired after last season.
“I told them, some of the young guys on the team after the game, that sometimes you got to lose before you can win, sometimes you got to fall before you crawl, walk before you can run,” said Johnson, adding that he thinks Williams can build a contender.
Detroit is the third team to start 2–28 after Cleveland in 2010–11 and Philadelphia in 2013–14,
Johnson was 6 of 10 from the floor with two 3-pointers, two rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Nets (14–15) for a 15.2 game score. Sharpe was 5 of 6 from the floor with three rebounds, an assist and a block.
For only the second time in the last nine games, Coby White failed to score 20 points. For the third time all season, he didn’t score a 3-pointer.
It all added up to a 109–95 Chicago home loss to Cleveland in the Bulls’ second game in as many nights. White had 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists on 8 of 19 shooting while missing all eight 3-point attempts to end the Bulls’ three-game win streak.
It’s still been a fantastic December for White, who is averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists for the month.
Cole Anthony had 12 points, six rebounds and three assists as Orlando won at Indiana 117–110 to snap a four-game losing streak. The Magic (17–11) are 1–4 on a road trip that concludes Tuesday in Washington.
Harrison Barnes contributed 12 points and three rebounds, but host Sacramento lost 110–98 to Minnesota. Barnes missed both 3-point attempts as the Kings scored a season-low eight 3-pointers on 33 attempts.
In Utah’s 126–119 victory at Toronto, Walker Kessler collected 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
Neither Charlotte’s Leaky Black (coach’s decision) nor Houston’s Reggie Bullock (illness) played in their teams’ games Saturday night.
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 — 22 games, 7.2 points, 42.5 FG%, 25.5 3P%, 55.0 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists
Saturday: Bucks 116, Nets 99 — Didn’t start; 4:55, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -2
Monday: Wizards 129, Bucks 126 — Didn’t start; 4:54, 0 points, +/- of 0
Wednesday: Bucks 113, Pistons 109 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday: 76ers 116, Bucks 101 — Didn’t start; 0:50, 1 assist, +2
Next game — 6:30 Saturday at Detroit
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 — 21 games, 13.2 points, 48.7 FG%, 42.5 3P%, 87.4 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Sunday: Timberwolves 125, Spurs 112 — Started; 28:38, 5 points, 2–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -6
Tuesday: Spurs 126, Grizzlies 119 — Started; 35:46, 31 points, 10–20 FG, 7–12 3FG, 4–5 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +9
Wednesday: Spurs 114, Magic 112 — Started; 28:39, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -13
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday at 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 Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff
Season statistics — 21 games, 4.9 points, 58.6 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Saturday: Pacers 103, Bulls 101 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Monday: Cavaliers 135, Pacers 119 — Didn’t start; 6:44, 6 points, 3–6 FG, 1 rebound, +2
Wednesday: Nuggets 135, Pacers 120 — Didn’t start; 13:37, 7 points, 1–2 FG, 5–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -10
Friday: Pacers 120, Bulls 105 — Didn’t start; 1:14, 2 points, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, +/- of 0
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday vs. Sacramento
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 — 21 games, 11.3 points, 45.9 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 80.5 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Saturday: Nuggets 130, Suns 112 — Started; 34:59, 15 points, 5–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +11
Monday: Mavericks 131, Nuggets 121 — Started; 36:19, 10 points, 3–10 FG, 1–6 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls -14
Wednesday: Nuggets 135, Pacers 120 — Started; 33:42, 9 points, 3–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +16
Friday: Nuggets 134, Hawks 133 — Started; 34:44, 16 points, 6–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 0–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +15
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Caleb Love,Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Season statistics — 15 games, 8.3 points, 32.8 FG%, 27.4 3P%, 78.6 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Sunday: Thunder 123, Blazers 115 — Didn’t start; 19:12, 12 points, 4–12 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assists, 2 steals, 2 fouls, +3
Tuesday: Raptors 121, Blazers 118 — Didn’t start; 12:12, 5 points, 2–6 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1 assist, 1 foul, -14
Wednesday: Blazers 122, Cavaliers 110 — Didn’t start; 27:25, 20 points, 7–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +8
Friday: Pistons 122, Blazers 116 — Didn’t start; 11:55, 0 points, 0–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -18
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Memphis
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 15 games, 6.5 points, 49.3 FG%, 36.7 3FG%, 94.4 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Saturday: Bucks 116, Nets 99 — Didn’t start; 20:44, 3 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist ,1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +7
Monday: Nets 116, Hornets 103 — Didn’t start; 23:56, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +5
Wednesday: Nets 113, Bulls 103 — Didn’t start; 13:22, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 turnover, +8
Next game — 5 p.m. Saturday vs. New Orleans
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 — 21 games, 6.6 points, 57.5 FG%, 27.8 3P%, 58.9 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Saturday: Bucks 116, Nets 99 — Didn’t start; 23:13, 7 points, 2–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–6 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +9
Monday: Nets 116, Hornets 103 — Didn’t start; 14:31, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, +3
Wednesday: Nets 113, Bulls 103 — Didn’t start; 12:33, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, +5
Next game — 5 p.m. Saturday vs. New Orleans
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 — 6 games, 23.8 points, 44.4 FG%, 32.7 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.7 of a steal
Saturday: Pacers 103, Bulls 101, Monday: Magic 125, Bulls 120 and Wednesday: Nets 113, Bulls 103 — Didn’t play (tightness in left calf)
Friday: Pacers 120, Bulls 105 — Started; 26:26, 22 points, 4–14 FG, 1–5 3FG, 9–12 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -1
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday vs. Golden State
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 — 9 games, 9.6 points, 39.1 FG%, 14.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.6 steals
Sunday: Greensboro Swarm 124, Capital City 106 — Started; 41 minutes, 4 points, 2–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -9
Wednesday: Raptors 905 123, Capital City 104 (road) — Started; 31 minutes, 6 points, 2–8 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, -17
Friday: Raptors 905 124, Capital City 120 (road) — Started; 10 points, 5–12 FG, 0–3 3FG, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, -1
Next game — 1 p.m. Wednesday vs. Maine
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 6 games, 6.0 points, 51.7 FG%, 4–10 3P, 3–5 FT, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Monday: United States 123, Nicaragua 93 in World Cup qualifying — Didn’t start; 19:04, 7 points, 3–3 FG, 1–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 fouls, 1 block, +17
Friday: Memphis Hustle 124, Birmingham 99 — Didn’t start; 8 points, 3–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 1 block
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Texas Legends
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 9 games, 21.7 points, 45.1 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 88.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.0 steal
Saturday: San Diego Clippers 124, South Bay 113 — Started in backcourt with Bronny James; 35 minutes, 24 points, 9–20 FG, 4–11 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -2
Sunday: San Diego Clippers 108, South Bay 107 — Started; 38 minutes, 28 points, 9–22 FG, 3–9 3FG, 4–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 foul, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +9
Tuesday: Salt Lake City Stars 136, South Bay Lakers 105 — Started; 32 minutes, 16 points, 5–15 FG, 3–8 3FG, 2–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 fouls, 3 turnovers, -18
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Rip City Remix
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 — 5 games, 15.2 points, 50.0 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 58.3 FT%, 11.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Sunday: Austin 110, Oklahoma City Blue 96 — Didn’t play
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday at Mexico City Capitanes
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Sunday: Noblesville Boom 111, Wisconsin 109 — 32 minutes, 11 points, 5–11FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +6
Wednesday: Wisconsin 114, Motor City Cruise 112 — 24 points, 10–15 FG, 1–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 3 blocks, +1
Friday in NBA: 76ers 116, Bucks 101 — Didn’t start; 0:50, +2
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Noblesville Boom, ESPN+
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 2 games, 19.5 points, 58.3 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal
Sunday: Noblesville Boom 111, Wisconsin 109 — Inactive for game
Wednesday: Wisconsin 114, Motor City Cruise 112 — Didn’t play
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Noblesville Boom, ESPN+
Photo via YouTube video screengrab
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