Tar Heels in NBA: Anthony hits 23 as Magic top Denver; White has 22, double-double, moves up Bulls 3-pointers list

By R.L. Bynum

Cole Anthony scored 23 points in a big road victory for short-handed Orlando at reigning NBA champion Denver, and Coby White netted 22 and a double-double in Chicago’s home win over Charlotte on Friday night.

Anthony was 8 of 15 from the floor with three 3-pointers, two rebounds and four assists as Orlando won 122–120 despite playing without seven players, including guard Markelle Fultz (left knee injury) and Wendell Carter Jr. (right knee).

Former Duke star Paolo Banchero had 32 points, a career-high 11 assists and 10 rebounds to become the youngest player in franchise history to record a triple-double.


White was 7 of 12 from the floor, with 10 rebounds and six assists in the Bulls’ 104–91 win to end a two-game skid.

With his three 3-pointers, White passed Scottie Pippin (664), and is fourth all-time on the 3-pointers list in franchise history (665).

It was the first game for Zach LaVine after missing 17 games and Nikola Vucevic after missing five, both with foot injuries.

The return of LaVine will likely change the dynamic offensively for the Bulls after White has had the ball in his hands most of the time while LaVine was out. White’s first assist didn’t come until late in the first half.

“Certainly, the ball is in his hands quite a bit. He needs to continue to be aggressive,” Chicago coach Billy Donovan said. “I wouldn’t want him to change the way he’s playing or feel like he has to.”


Harrison Barnes had 16 points, four rebounds and two assists in Sacramento’s 135–130 home win over Toronto.


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In Brooklyn’s 124–115 win over Oklahoma City, which snapped a five-game losing streak, Cam Johnson had nine points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Day’Ron Sharpe contributed six points, two rebounds, and two assists.


Walker Kessler collected four points and seven rebounds in Utah’s 126–97 loss at Boston.


Nassir Little missed Phoenix’s 113–97 home win over Miami with left knee soreness, the fifth consecutive game he’s missed.


In Houston’s 122–95 home win over Minnesota, Reggie Bullock had five points in eight minutes.

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 35 games, 6.7 points, 42.4 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 19–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win vs. Chicago 12:14, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Next game 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. New Orleans


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 49 games, 10.5 points, 43.7 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 85.9 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 33–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 111–99 win at Houston —Started; 28:46, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 foul, +1
Saturday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Didn’t start; 24:48, 11 points, 3–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +4
Sunday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Started; 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +10
Next game 9:30 Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City, ESPN


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: 13–38, 15th in Eastern Conference
Last 10-day contract expires; could return to Pacers after trade deadline


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: 33–18, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee


Roster situation Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 43 games, 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 23–28, 10th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 130–125 loss vs. Phoenix Didn’t start; 8:20, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 turnover, -2
Next game 10 p.m. Friday vs. Memphis


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 — 18 games, 4.3 points, 58.2 FG%, 48.3 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist
Team record: 19–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win vs. Chicago 27:14, season-high 15 points, 6–8 FG, 3–5 3FG, season-high 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +19
Next game 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. New Orleans


Roster situation Starting shooting guard
Season statistics 38 games, 6.1 points, 44.2 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 91.3 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–36, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers Didn’t start; 3:42, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -6
Next game 7 p.m. Thursday at Orlando


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 47 games, 8.2 points, 61.0 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 13–36, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers Didn’t start; 25:43, 19 points, 9–12 FG,1–1 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +14; third double-double of season
Next game 7 p.m. Thursday at Orlando


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 — 29 games, 18.6 points, 43.8 FG%, 34.6 3PFG, 80.5 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 24–27, 10th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 loss at Milwaukee Started; 30:20, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 5–7 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -15
Next game 7:30 Thursday at Toronto, Prime Video


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 — 29 games, 10.8 points, 46.4 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Friday: 124–99 loss vs. Wisconsin Herd Started; 31 minutes, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -18
Saturday: 110–98 win vs. Wisconsin Herd Started; 38 minutes, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 10 rebounds, 4 assist, 3 steals, 1 block, +16
Next game 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. South Bay Lakers, ESPN+


Season statistics — 26 games, 5.3 points, 44.3 FG%, 36.8 3P%, 68.4 FT%, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.4 of a block
Wednesday: 115–97 win vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce, Friday: 124–111 loss at Noblesville Boom and Sunday: 125–109 loss at Noblesville Boom Inactive for all three games
Next game 7 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Go-Go


Season statistics — 29 games, 19.3 points, 44.6 FG%, 40.9 3P%, 87.3 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Monday: 137–133 loss at Osceola Magic Started; 31 minutes, 17 points, 6–15 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 5 turnovers, -6
Next game 7 p.m. Wednesday at Capital City Go-Go, ESPN+


Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 21 games, 14.6 points, 47.4 FG%, 29.6 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 11.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Thursday: 119–115 loss vs. Stockton Kings Started; 30 minutes, 15 points, 5–14 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–5 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 turnover, -5
Next game 11:30 a.m. Wednesday vs. Texas Legends


Season statistics — 23 games, 19.1 points, 49.1 FG%, 40.7 3P%, 90.7 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Friday: 124–99 win at Capital City Go-Go Started; 31 minutes, 22 points, 9–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +11
Saturday: 110–98 loss at Capital City Go-Go Started; 31 minutes, 16 points, 6–17 FG, 4–11 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -2
Next game 11 a.m. Thursday at Delaware Blue Coats


Photo @chicagobulls

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