Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó The Bobcats sent rookies Alexis Ajinca and Sean Singletary to Sioux Falls of the NBA Development League and agreed to sign guard Dontell Jefferson to a 10-day contract.
Jefferson, who was averaging 18.6 points and 5.5 assists in the development league, will become the Bobcats’ NBA-high 24th player to suit up this season. General manager Rod Higgins said the 6-foot-4 Jefferson will sign on Wednesday and take the team’s open roster spot.
Neither Ajinca or Singletary had been getting much playing time with coach Larry Brown tightening his rotation as the Bobcats make a playoff push.
The 7-foot Ajinca was a first-round pick who has appeared in just two games since Feb. 11. Singletary was acquired from Phoenix in the trade that also brought starters Boris Diaw and Raja Bell to Charlotte. The point guard hasn’t played since Feb. 11.
* The Bobcats are the latest team to slash ticket prices.
The team announced on Monday that season tickets for 2009-10 will be reduced by an average of 17 percent. The Bobcats will also include perks such as free parking and discounts at concession stands.
The Bobcats rank 27th out of 30 teams with an average crowd of 14,100 this season.
BULLS
MIAMI ó A tiny fracture is becoming a big problem for Luol Deng.
The Chicago Bulls’ forward will sit out at least two more weeks with what he called “very small, not even a hairline” break in his right leg, something that could wind up jeopardizing the remainder of his season.
Deng aggravated the injury Feb. 28 against Houston.
BARKLEY
PHOENIX ó Charles Barkley was released from jail after serving a three-day sentence on a drunken-driving conviction.
Barkley left the Tent City jail just before 8 a.m.
He reported to the jail Saturday morning wearing a blue warm-up suit with red stripes. He was not required to wear a jail uniform or the county’s signature pink underwear because he got work release, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.
SCORES
Heat 130, Bulls 127 (2OT)
MIAMI ó Dwyane Wade stole the ball from John Salmons with four seconds left, then made a running 3-pointer as time expired.
Wade ó who finished with 48 points and 12 assists in 49 minutes, shooting 15-for-21 from the field ó made a 3-pointer at the end of the first half, then again at the end of regulation.
And after missing a layup at the end of the first extra session, he more than atoned for that at the end.
Referees reviewed the play for more than two minutes before Mark Wunderlich shot his hands in the air, officially giving Miami the win.
Ben Gordon made eight 3s and scored 43 points for the Bulls.
Blazers 111, Lakers 94
PORTLAND, Ore. ó Brandon Roy scored 27 points and Travis Outlaw added 22 points for the Blazers, who have won 12 straight at the Rose Garden.
Blazers forward Rudy Fernandez was taken from the court on a stretcher with his neck in a brace after he was fouled hard by Trevor Ariza in the fourth quarter.
Fernandez was conscious and alert when he left the court, and he had full movement of his extremities, the team said. However, Fernandez was experiencing pain in his chest and was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.
Hawks 89, Hornets 79
ATLANTA ó Joe Johnson scored 30 points, ending the Hornets’ season-best seven-game winning streak.
Chris Paul had 24 points and 10 assists for New Orleans.
Atlanta’s Marvin Williams and New Orleans’ Peja Stojakovic missed the game with back problems. Williams has a sore lower back and is expected to see a specialist after seeing “a couple” doctors.
Wizards 110, Timberwolves 99
MINNEAPOLIS ó Caron Butler had 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead Washington in a matchup of teams that had lost 14 straight combined. Antawn Jamison added 26 points for the Wizards.
Timberwolves guard Randy Foye had to be carried to the locker room with a sprained right ankle.
Pistons 98, Magic 94
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. ó Richard Hamilton scored 29 points and had a career-high 14 assists.
Dwight Howard had 27 points and 14 rebounds for Orlando.
Rockets 97, Nuggets 95
DENVER ó Ron Artest scored 22 points and Aaron Brooks had 19.