Scott Howard-Cooper, NBA.com
A look at top performers from Day 2 in Salt Lake City:
Bryn Forbes, San Antonio Spurs
A year after his play in Salt Lake City helped him go from undrafted rookie to the NBA, the 31 points and three steals in the 81-70 victory over the Celtics will be another confidence boost. Forbes made 12 of 20 shots.
Dante Exum, Utah Jazz
The good stretches in the opener Monday turned into a very good entire night on Wednesday. Needing a summer league to show he is capable of stepping up and becoming a consistent contributor, more necessary than ever after the reported free-agent departure of Gordon Hayward, Exum had 26 points and 10 assists as the Jazz beat the 76ers 100-94. Both were game highs. He was nine of 16 from the field, including three of five behind the arc.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
He has been the best rookie at the University of Utah and probably the best in Salt Lake City or Orlando. Tatum went from 21 points, seven rebounds and five steals Monday against the 76ers to 23 points and 10 rebounds Wednesday in the 81-70 loss to the Spurs.
Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
Showing the range that helped make him the No. 1 pick for a team in need of shooting, Fultz connected on four of eight attempts behind the arc en route to 23 points in 27 minutes. The only drawback was five assists against six turnovers.
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Fran Blinebury, NBA.com
A look at top performers from Day 5 in Orlando:
Brandon Paul, Dallas Mavericks
The 26-year-old guard hasn’t been the least bit shy about getting his shots up from behind the arc. He shot 6-for-10 on 3s and knocked down four of them in a sizzling first quarter against the Thunder to lead the Mavericks to the only perfect record (4-0) in Florida.
Henry Ellenson, Detroit Pistons
The Pistons’ 2016 first round draft pick continued to show off his improved outside touch. He connected on 6-for-10 from downtown to fuel his 29 points and also pulled in a half dozen rebounds to lead Detroit past Charlotte.
Johnny O’Bryant, Charlotte Hornets
After coming over from the NBA G League, O’Bryant played four games for the Hornets last season. But the 6-9 forward never produced anything like the 26 points in 30 minutes he cranked out against the Pistons on Wednesday. He shot 10-for-18 from the field, including a couple of 3s.
