Tar Heels in NBA: Nance signs deal with Cavaliers; White stays consistent with Bulls; tough stretch for several UNC alums

By R.L. Bynum

With Coby White’s 25-point game Friday as the highlight on the court since the long holiday weekend began, there was a big highlight off the court with Pete Nance signing a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Nance, who has spent the entire season to this point with the Cavaliers’ G League team, the Cleveland Charge, joins the roster of the franchise where his dad, Larry Nance, had a legendary career.

In 22 games for the Charge, Nance averaged 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 49.1% from the floor and 36.5 from 3-point range.

Nance collected 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in the Charge’s 126–11 Monday loss at Westchester and had eight points, six rebounds, and three assists in Tuesday’s 125–117 win at Westchester.

On Saturday, he had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the Charge’s 120–94 home loss to the Texas Legends. For the Legends, Theo Pinson had 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists; Justin Jackson contributed nine points, eight rebounds, and two assists, and Tony Bradley was inactive for the game.

He’ll be with the Cavaliers (23–15, fourth in the Eastern Conference) for their home game Wednesday night at 7:30 against Milwaukee (ESPN).


White scored five 3-pointers in collecting 25 points in a 140–131 Friday home loss to Golden State, for his 21st game of at least 20 points this season. His 22.6 game score was the 10th game this season with at least 20.

White followed that up with 15 points in Saturday’s 122–116 win at San Antonio and 18 in Monday’s 109–91 loss at Cleveland.

The Chicago Sun-Times wrote about the tough lessons White is getting throughout the season.

You can watch White and the Bulls (19–24, ninth in the Eastern Conference) on TNT on Thursday night when they visit Toronto at 7:30.


Cole Anthony returned Monday to his favorite road venue, Madison Square Garden, and collected 15 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals in Orlando’s 98–94 win over New York.

The Magic (22–18, eighth in the Eastern Conference) lost in two earlier weekend games. Anthony scored five points in Friday’s 99–96 loss at Miami and 14 points in Saturday’s 112–100 defeat at Oklahoma City.


Sacramento (23–17, seventh in the Western Conference) and Harrison Barnes have been going through a tough stretch.

The Kings lost the last three games on a 2–3 road trip, with Barnes scoring four points in Friday’s 112–93 loss at Philadelphia, 14 points in Sunday’s 143–142 overtime defeat at Milwaukee and eight points in Tuesday’s 119–117 loss at Phoenix.

That Bucks game was the only time Barnes has scored in double figures in the last five games.


Leaky Black has been back with Charlotte (8–29, 13th in the Eastern Conference), scoring two points in seven minutes in Friday’s 135–99 loss at San Antonio and playing two scoreless minutes in Sunday’s 104–87 loss at Miami.


Houston (19–20, 10th in the Western Conference) continues to use Reggie Bullock sparingly. Bullock had three points and four rebounds in Friday’s 112–110 win at Detroit, three points and three rebounds in Saturday’s 145–114 defeat at Boston and didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Monday’s 124–115 loss at Philadelphia.


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Bullock has played more than nine minutes only three times since playing 12 minutes in back-to-back games in early November. He is battling lower back pain and will miss the Rockets’ game Wednesday at New York.


For the first time this season, Cameron Johnson has scored in single digits in back-to-back games for Brooklyn (16–23, 10th in the Eastern Conference). After scoring three points in the Nets’ Jan. 11 loss to Cleveland in Paris, he only had six points in Monday’s 96–85 overtime home loss to Miami.

Day’Ron Sharpe has missed the last two Nets games with a hyperextended left knee and is also out for Wednesday’s 10 p.m. game at Portland.


Walker Kessler had four points in both Utah’s 132–125 Saturday win over the Los Angeles Lakers and the Jazz’s 132–105 Monday win vs. Indiana. He had six rebounds against the Lakers and five rebounds and five blocks against the Pacers.

Utah (22–20, ninth in the Western Conference) was supposed to play Golden State on Wednesday night, but the NBA postponed the game after Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic died of a heart attack.


Playing time has been scarce of late for Nassir Little since he returned after missing seven games with left knee tendinitis.

After playing 4½ minutes on Jan. 11 in a road win over the Los Angeles Lakers, he hasn’t played (coach’s decision) for Phoenix (22–18, 8th in the Western Conference) in the last two games, Sunday’s 127–116 win at Portland and Tuesday’s 119–117 home victory over Sacramento.

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 @ChargeCLE

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