Spurs Lose Johnson After Throat Surgery

The injury-ravaged San Antonio Spurs lost Avery Johnson for at least the next four games after the point guard underwent surgery to drain an abscess in his throat. . . . A bruised tailbone has sidelined Cleveland point guard Terrell Brandon, who fell hard on his back Friday against Portland. His status is day to day. . . . The Continental Basketball Assn. tied its all-time high for CBA-to-NBA call-ups in a single season at 38 when the Miami Heat brought up forward Bruce Bowen from the Rockford Lightning. The previous record was set in 1993-94.