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 Starting power forward ahead of Keldon Johnson
Season statistics 62 games, 10.2 points, 44.3 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 84.9 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Team record: 49–18, 2nd in Western Conference
Saturday: 115–102 win vs. Charlotte — Didn’t start; 21:54, 2 points, 0–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +2
Next game 10 p.m. Monday at Los Angeles Clippers, Peacock, NBCSN


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
Season NBA statistics — 5 games, 10.0 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3FG%, 4–4 FT, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assist
Team record: 16–50, 14th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: 111–100 loss at Boston Didn’t play
Next game 7 p.m. Monday vs. Golden State


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 42 games, 11.5 points, 45.7 FG%, 41.0 3P%, 84.6 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 41–27, 5th in Western Conference
Saturday: 127–125 OT loss at Los Angeles Lakers Started; 43:01, 18 points, 6–13 FG, 4–10 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, +15
Next game 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Philadelphia, Peacock


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 — 34 games, 4.4 points, 55.7 FG%, 46.2 3P%, 1.9 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 28–39, 11th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: 122–99 loss at Atlanta 15:28, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–2 3FG, 0–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -8
Sunday: 134–123 win vs. Indiana 3:26, +1
Next game 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Cleveland, NBC, Peacock


Roster situation Starting shooting guard
Season NBA statistics 50 games, 6.2 points, 42.0 FG%, 29.1 3FG%, 90.5 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
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: 15–49, 13th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: 104–97 loss at Philadelphia Didn’t play
Next Brooklyn game 7:30 Monday vs. Portland
Next Long Island game 7 p.m. Tuesday at Osceola Magic, ESPN+


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 17–50, 13th in Eastern Conference
Out for the season


Coby White, Charlotte Hornets forward
Age 26 | 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 — 37 games, 17.3 points, 43.2 FG%, 34.1 3PFG, 80.6 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists
Team record: 34–34, 10th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: 115–102 win vs. Charlotte — Didn’t start; 26:10, 18 points, 7–15 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 foul, +4
Next game 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Miami


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


Waived

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


Season statistics — 43 games, 18.2 points, 45.5 FG%, 41.2 3P%, 86.8 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Friday: 125–106 win vs. Iowa Wolves Started; 22 minutes, 16 points, 5–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 block, -1
Sunday: 129–122 win at Rip City Remix Started; 38 minutes, 24 points, 8–16 FG, 3–6 3FG, 5–7 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, +6
Next game 9 p.m. Tuesday at Rip City Remix, 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 — 34 games, 16.1 points, 48.7 FG%, 33.9 3P%, 61.8 FT%, 12.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.1 steals
Sunday: 106–104 loss vs. Stockton Kings — Started, 27 minutes, 15 points, 5–13 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3–4 FT, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, +2
Next game 7 p.m. Tuesday at College Park Skyhawks, ESPN+


NBA season statistics — 45 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.3 points, 39.0 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists
G League season statistics — 7 games, 23.7 points, 42.7 FG%, 21.7 3P%, 76.5 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.9 turnovers
Sunday: 129–122 loss vs. South Bay Lakers Started; 41 minutes, 25 points, 9–21 FG, 4–12 3FG, 2–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 fouls, 4 steals, 5 turnovers, +/- of 0
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers, Prime Video


Season statistics — 30 games, 20.6 points, 48.6 FG%, 41.7 3P%, 88.3 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals
Friday: 116–104 loss vs. Mexico City Capitanes, Saturday: 116–97 loss vs. Mexico City Capitanes, Monday: 109–103 win vs. Valley Suns and Wednesday: 126–113 loss at Osceola Magic Didn’t play
Next game 8 p.m. Monday at Windy City Bulls, Prime Video


Photo via @ChargeCLE

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