NBA: Under-strength Cavs fall to Heat, sign Williams

Miami Heat centre Hassan Whiteside (#21) backing down against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Derrick Williams (#3) during their NBA match on March 4, 2017. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES

(REUTERS) - Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue rested All-Stars LeBron James and Kyrie Irving on Saturday night, playing without them against the Miami Heat at the AmericanAirlines Arena.

Miami took full advantage of their absences, earning a 120-92 win at the AmericanAirlines Arena.

Goran Dragic led the Heat with 23 points. Hassan Whiteside added 20 points and 13 rebounds.

The Heat made 18 three-pointers, the most by Miami this season and the second-most in franchise history.

Miami, who have won 18 of their last 22 games, kept pace with the Detroit Pistons in the battle for the eighth and final play-off position in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavaliers signed forward Derrick Williams to a contract for the remainder of the season, the team announced.

Williams, 25, played out the last of consecutive 10-day contracts.

He signed a US$268,000 (S$377,979) deal before Saturday night's game at Miami, who waived him in early February.

The Milwaukee Bucks signed forward Terrence Jones to a contract for the remainder of the season, the team announced.

Currently in his fifth NBA season, Jones has played in 229 games and averaged 10.6 points and 5.8 rebounds.

He spent his first four NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets and also played with Rio Grande of the NBA Development League.

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