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UNC in the NBA: Theo Pinson scores career-high 19 points

By Trevor Marks

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 25: Theo Pinson #10 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center on January 25, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 25: Theo Pinson #10 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center on January 25, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The former Tar Heel recorded a career-high 19 points in 26 minutes off the bench on Friday, helping the Nets defeat the Knicks, 109-99.

Brooklyn Nets two-way wing Theo Pinson entered Friday night’s matchup with the New York Knicks having played only scant minutes across seven NBA games, with only 19 points to his name.

By the end of the night, the rookie would double his total, putting up a career performance and playing key minutes in a 109-99 Nets victory.

Despite riding the bench and not playing any NBA minutes since January 11, Pinson stepped onto the court and dropped a career-high 19 points (5-11 FG, 3-5 3PT, 6-6 FT), chipping in an additional eight rebounds, two assists and two steals in 26 minutes off the bench. Additionally, his points, three-pointers made and plus-minus (+19) were all team-highs, proving that his contributions were valuable to a postseason-starved franchise that’s needing every win it can get.

Check out some of the former Tar Heel’s highlights here:

https://twitter.com/nbagleague/status/1089004098559635456

Currently sixth in the Eastern Conference at 27-23, the Nets are striving to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2014-2015 season. The road ahead may be difficult, however, with backup guard and super-sixth-man Spencer Dinwiddie (17.2 points, 5.0 assists) dealing with a ligament injury in his right thumb which could potentially threaten his ability to play for the foreseeable future (depending on whether or not he has surgery).

Undermanned and needing minutes from a serviceable backup guard, Pinson could be the man to fill in that role.

Although he’s only averaging 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists through eight games (12.3 MPG) with Brooklyn, his strong play in the G-League suggests that he may already deserve a spot — either temporarily or permanently — at the NBA level.

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In 21 games for the Long Island Nets of the NBA G-League, Pinson is sporting averages of 20.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.9 three-pointers per game, leading his team in various categories (scoring, assists, three-point shooting) and starring as a nightly triple-double threat.

With a clear need at the position, it could prove fruitful for the Nets’ brass to bring Pinson up full-time after his 45 days are up, signing him to a guaranteed deal taking him through the rest of the season.

Deal or no deal, minutes or no minutes, there’s one thing that’s for sure:

Pinson will be ready.

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For more coverage of Theo Pinson and other former Tar Heels in the NBA, check back in with Keeping It Heel.

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