NBA Tar Heels: Week 17 Review / Week 18 Preview

Each Monday during the NBA regular season, All Tar Heels' Isaac Schade will review the prior week and preview the week ahead for each Tar Heel in the NBA.

Author:
Isaac Schade
Feb 14, 2022 8:00 AM EST

Each Monday during the NBA regular season, All Tar Heels will review the prior week for each Tar Heel in the NBA and preview the week ahead. This week, we are looking back at games from February 7-13 and looking ahead to games from February 14-17.

There will only be four days of games this week because the All-Star Break begins on Friday. Cole Anthony is one of 12 sophomores to make the Rising Stars rosters, which will be played on Friday evening. The actual All-Star Game follows on Sunday evening at 8:00ET on TNT.

There are currently 12 Tar Heels on NBA rosters, 11 on full-time contracts and one (Theo Pinson) on a two-way contract.

A few highlights / updates from the week:

Cam Johnson and the Suns continue to dominate the NBA. They won all four of their games this week and have captured 16 of their last 17. The Suns lead over the Warriors atop the Western Conference has ballooned up to 4.5 games.
Coby White, Tony Bradley, and the Bulls have pushed back up almost to the top of the Eastern Conference and are just a game back of the Heat. Ed Davis and the Cavs are just a game back of the Bulls, also positioned for an upper-tier playoff seed.
Harrison Barnes continued his torrid scoring streak, pouring in 21, 30, and 21 in the Kings three games this week for an average of 24. The Kings have actually won three out of their last four and can hopefully use that momentum to slingshot them into a successful second half.
Day'Ron Sharpe recorded his second career double-double on Saturday against the Heat (20 points / 12 rebounds) having fallen just one point shy on Thursday against the Wizards (nine points / 10 rebounds).
Justin Jackson's 10-day contract with the Suns has expired and was not renewed. Hopefully Jackson can land another contract with a team following the All-Star break.
Nassir Little underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder. As expected, he will miss the rest of the 2021-22 season. More to come on his timetable, but early indications are that he will make a full recovery and be ready for the 2022-23 season.

Here’s a brief look at each Tar Heel in the NBA, what he did in the previous week of games, and a preview of the week ahead.

Note: all times listed are Eastern and PM.