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Cole Anthony and Harrison Barnes both had big games Friday night, with Anthony trying to play peacemaker amid a brawl in an Orlando win and Barnes throwing down a highlight-reel dunk but missing a big shot at the end of a Sacramento loss. Anthony had his second-best game of the season with a 21.9 game score, collecting 20 points, two 3-pointers, eight rebounds, six assists and a steal in the Magic’s 127–120 win at Minnesota that included an ugly fight that led to five ejections.
CHAPEL HILL — You might say that the finger that’s on the pulse of what makes Carolina’s offense go is RJ Davis’ right index finger. After he dislocated that finger on his shooting hand early in the season, he struggled to find his shooting stroke, and the team’s struggles followed. Davis shot under 40% seven times in November and December, with the Tar Heels going 3–4 in those games. When he shoots at least 40% this season, Carolina is 12–2.
Carolina’s Pete Nance, Armando Bacot, Caleb Love, RJ Davis and Hubert Davis talk about Saturday’s game at Duke.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” is coming to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday morning ahead of Carolina’s game at Duke, and Tar Heels fans are welcome to get a little bit of the Cameron experience by being there for the show. The hourlong program starts at 11 a.m., and admission is free, with the public allowed into Cameron starting at 9:30 a.m.
It hasn’t been the most productive of Coby White’s four NBA seasons, but he has made a little Chicago Bulls history this week. And, according to one report, the Bulls have rejected multiple offers for him ahead of next Thursday’s trade deadline. White scored 20 points and three 3-pointers in their 114–98 home victory Thursday over the Charlotte Hornets. That effort came one game after he became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 500 3-pointers, with a pair of 3s Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, needing only 237 games.
Friday will be Michael Jordan Day on ESPN and ACC Network as the channels will feature extensive programming that spotlights No. 23 on 2/3/23. Highlights of the Carolina and NBA great’s career will be part of multiple studio shows, while ACCN will air four Tar Heels games from the 1981, 1983 and 1984 seasons.
After a gruesome knee injury during last season’s playoffs that many thought would end his career, Danny Green finally made his season debut Wednesday night after a long rehabilitation process. When he tore the MCL and LCL in his left knee, he was with the Philadelphia 76ers. After an offseason trade to the Memphis Grizzlies, Green entered the game to start the second quarter of their 122–112 home loss to Portland.
CHAPEL HILL — Carolina was in a fight with Pittsburgh, and at times it seemed like an actual fight, with physical play, words exchanged and apparent vitriol between the teams. The Tar Heels just didn’t have enough fight at the end, with failures at the free throw line and empty possessions in the final minutes too much to overcome.
Carolina’s Caleb Love, Armando Bacot and Pete Nance talk about the loss to Pittsburgh.
Texas Tech had wins in only half of its first 20 games before inserting Kerwin Walton into the starting lineup. The Red Raiders are 2–0 since that happened, including Monday’s rally from a 23-point deficit with 12:38 left. Texas Tech finished off the amazing comeback to earn an 80–77 overtime home victory over No. 13 Iowa State for their first Big 12 victory and back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-December.
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