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UNC Basketball: Wayne Ellington scorches Heat with seven three-pointers

By Blake Cockrum

Jan 18, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Wayne Ellington (8) attempts a three point shot over Miami Heat forward Maurice Harkless (8) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Wayne Ellington (8) attempts a three point shot over Miami Heat forward Maurice Harkless (8) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former UNC basketball sharpshooter Wayne Ellington scores season-high 24 points in losing effort against Miami Heat.

Wayne Ellington got his second consecutive start for the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, and his fourth over the past six games. He also logged a season-high 28 minutes against the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, and put together his best performance of the 2020-21 season to date, despite seeing his team fall by a final score of 113-107 in South Beach.

Ellington, the former Tar Heel and 2009 national champion, scored a season-best 24 points on an outstanding 7-for-12 shooting night that included 7-of-11 from three-point range. He also had two rebounds and two assists, and knocked down 3-of-4 from the free throw line.

https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/1351378764660408320

For Ellington, it broke a three-game skid in which he failed to score double-digit points after three straight such games to begin the season. His seven three-pointers against the Heat were also more than he hit in the previous three games combined, though his efficiency from beyond the arc in those contests remained high (6-of-15).

It’s that consistency that has Ellington gracing the Pistons’ starting lineup so frequently this season, and logging better than 21 minutes per game. In seven appearances this season, Ellington is averaging 11.4 points per game, and converting a staggering 46.5 percent of his shots from long-range. With numbers like that, and on a 3-10 team that currently sits in last-place of the Central Division standings, Ellington is bound to continue getting big minutes in the games ahead.

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Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Wayne Ellington, and UNC basketball alumni throughout the NBA.

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