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Kyle Lowry scores 43 points vs Cavs

Friday night in Toronto, the Raptors beat the Cavaliers 99-97. Awesome in the win was Raptors guard Kyle Lowry: 15-of-20 shooting for 43 points, five rebounds, nine assists and four steals, plus the game-winning shot. Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal reporting:

Lowry’s jumper with 3.8 seconds left over an outstretched Matthew Dellavedova gave the Raptors a 99-97 victory over the Cavaliers on Friday night, shaving the Cavs’ lead for the top seed in the conference to just two games and more importantly giving the Raptors the tiebreaker.

The Raptors won the season series 2-1.

The Cavs gave away leads of 12 and 14 points and lost for the second time in their last three games despite LeBron James playing the entire second half.
The Cavs had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but James’ 3-pointer missed everything.

Kevin Love’s initial inbounds pass was batted back toward him by Bismack Biyombo. Love narrowly got out of the way of the ball touching him, which would’ve given possession back to the Raptors. The Cavs were awarded the ball again after a lengthy review and Love quickly inbounded to James, who is shooting under 28 percent from 3-point range this season. James shot an airball from the top of the perimeter, which deftly summed up the Cavs’ evening.

Joe Johnson will reportedly join Heat

Small forward Joe Johnson averaged just 11.8 points on 40.6% shooting this season for the Brooklyn Nets, plus 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per outing. His career is winding down. Still, he’d make a terrific addition to just about any team that wants him as a member of the supporting cast. Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal reporting:

Six years later, the Cavaliers have reportedly lost out on another free agent to the Miami Heat. This one, however, doesn’t sting nearly as much.

Joe Johnson will join the Miami Heat after he clears waivers Saturday night, according to multiple reports. The soon-to-be free agent guard was considering the Cavs, but has chosen South Beach instead. Yahoo Sports reported Johnson chose the Heat for the chance to start and play meaningful minutes.

LeBron James, who also spurned Cleveland for Miami in 2010, confirmed earlier Friday the Cavs had interest in Johnson, but stopped short of saying he would reach out to him.

Bryce Dejean-Jones out for season after wrist surgery

New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a right wrist fracture. He will miss the remainder of the 2015-16 season.

Dejean-Jones, 6-6, 203, has appeared in 14 games (11 starts) for the Pelicans, averaging 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game.

Prior to joining New Orleans, Dejean-Jones played for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, appearing in nine games (seven starts), averaging 19.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals in 31.1 minutes per game.

Undrafted out of Iowa State, Dejean Jones was a member of the Pelicans’ 2015 Las Vegas Summer League team and training camp roster. In six summer league contests, Dejean-Jones averaged 12.8 points on .619 shooting from the field, including .500 from three point range, to go along with 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 assists in 21.7 minutes per game. Appearing in all seven preseason contests for New Orleans, Dejean-Jones averaged 8.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

Beno Udrih out three months after foot surgery

Miami Heat guard Beno Udrih underwent surgery to repair a torn plantar plate in his right foot. The one hour, 45-minute procedure was performed by HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick and Dr. Thomas San Giovanni at Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute at Doctors Hospital. He is expected to miss three months.

Udrih has appeared in 36 games (five starts) with the HEAT this season averaging 4.4 points, 2.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 16.3 minutes while shooting 43.4 percent from the field. He was originally acquired by the HEAT, along with Jarnell Stokes, via trade with the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Mario Chalmers and James Ennis earlier this season on November 10.

Pelicans: Bryce Dejean-Jones has broken wrist

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that guard Bryce Dejean-Jones has been diagnosed with a fractured right wrist. An MRI today revealed the injury, which will require surgery tomorrow morning. A timetable for his return will be announced appropriately.

Dejean-Jones, 6-6, 203, has appeared in 14 games (11 starts) for the Pelicans, averaging 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game.

Timberwolves waive Andre Miller

The Minnesota Timberwolves waived guard Andre Miller today. Their roster currently stands at 14 players.

“Andre was a consummate professional and set a good example for our younger players on what it takes to be a pro in this league,” said Timberwolves general manager Milt Newton. “We wish him the best.”

Miller, in his 17th NBA season, played in 26 games for the Wolves this year, averaging 3.4 points, on 62.1% shooting, and 2.2 assists. He has career averages of 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 1,291 games.

Wizards sign J.J. Hickson

The Washington Wizards have signed forward J.J. Hickson.

“Signing J.J. for the remainder of the season gives us another solid veteran who will bring more depth to our frontcourt,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “His experience, athletic ability and physical presence will be solid additions to our team as we continue our playoff push.“

Hickson (6-9, 242) has appeared in 519 career regular season games (307 starts) in seven-plus seasons with Cleveland, Sacramento, Portland and Denver. He has averaged 9.7 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting .505 from the field. The former 19th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft averaged a double-double of 12.7 points and 10.4 rebounds in 80 games (all starts) during the 2012-13 season with Portland and posted 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in 69 games (52 starts) with Denver in 2013-14 . Hickson appeared in 20 games (nine starts), with Denver this season, averaging 6.9 points and 4.4 rebounds before being waived on February 19.

Suns claim John Jenkins off waivers

The Phoenix Suns today claimed guard John Jenkins off of waivers.

Jenkins, a 6-4, 215-pound wing, began the season with Dallas where he led the team and ranked fifth in the NBA with 19.7 points per game in seven appearances during the preseason. He played in 21 regular season games with the Mavericks, averaging 3.3 points in 9.2 minutes. The fourth-year NBA veteran has played in 119 career games with Atlanta (2012-15) and Dallas (2015-16), averaging 5.2 points while shooting 44.6 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from three-point range and 85.3 percent from the free throw line.

Originally the 23rd overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft by Atlanta, Jenkins averaged a career-high 6.1 points in 61 games his first season, ranking fifth among rookies by shooting 38.4 percent from three-point territory. The 24-year-old owns 18 career double-digit scoring games and three with 20-plus points, including a career-best 23 points at San Antonio on April 6, 2013. In addition to his NBA experience, Jenkins has played in 17 career D-League games with Bakersfield, Fort Wayne and Idaho, averaging 19.7 points on 50.0 percent shooting.

A native of Hendersonville, Tenn., Jenkins played collegiately at Vanderbilt University and earned All-SEC First Team honors in the final two of his three seasons with the team. Jenkins averaged 16.9 points for his career as he helped the Commodores reach the NCAA tournament in each of his three seasons, the only time in program history that Vanderbilt has earned three consecutive NCAA tournament berths.

Jenkins will wear uniform number 23.

Beno Udrih needs foot surgery, out three months

Miami Heat guard Beno Udrih will undergo surgery for a torn plantar plate in his right foot and is expected to miss three months.

Pistons sign Justin Harper to 10-day contract

The Detroit Pistons have signed forward Justin Harper to a 10-day contract. This after the team just announced that forward Stanley Johnson is out for perhaps one week with a shoulder injury.

Harper, 6-10, 225, averaged 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 34 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League this season. He shot 48.5% from the field, 40.3% from beyond the arc and 88.5% from the free-throw line.

A second-round pick (32nd overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft, Harper saw action in 14 NBA games with the Orlando Magic during the 2011-12 season.