Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Cam Johnson explodes for 19-point double-double

By Blake Cockrum

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 2, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 2, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC basketball standout Cameron Johnson goes off for 19 points and 12 rebounds in Suns’ victory over Mavericks

The Phoenix Suns were heavily criticized for taking Cameron Johnson so high in the 2019 NBA Draft, but the former Tar Heel continues to show basketball fans that his No. 11 selection was well-warranted.

The 6-foot-8, 210-pound small forward put on another terrific performance in the NBA bubble on Sunday night, exploding for a 19-point, 12 rebound double-double against the playoff-bound Dallas Mavericks. Johnson led all players with his dozen boards, including his 6-foot-11, 250-pound teammate Deandre Ayton, and Mavericks All-Stars Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic. It was a career-best for Johnson, whose former high was seven rebounds in a December game against the Denver Nuggets.

And although his 19 points weren’t a career-high, his scoring output on Sunday night was arguably the most efficient of his rookie season. He knocked down 6-of-11 shots for the game, and 4-of-8 from three-point range. He hit all three of his free throw attempts, dished out four assists and didn’t commit a single turnover in a game-high 40 minutes of play.

The Suns’ game against the Mavericks marked just the third time this season that Johnson has been in the starting lineup, but the second time in two games. Seeing as he’s been so successful in his first two games of the NBA restart, however, it stands to reason that he’ll be seeing more time in the team’s starting rotation over the coming weeks.

Johnson and the Suns will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon against the second-place Los Angeles Clippers.

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Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Cameron Johnson, and UNC basketball alumni throughout the NBA bubble.

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