Pro Hogs

Johnson to compete in 3-point contest

Brooklyn Nets' Joe Johnson (7) is defended by Miami Heat's Ray Allen (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Joe Johnson is one of eight participants in this year's 3-point shooting contest during the NBA's All-Star weekend in New Orleans.

Johnson will compete in the event for the first time. The Nets guard is hitting 39.1 percent of his attempts beyond the arc this season.

Cleveland All-Star Kyrie Irving will defend his 3-point title against a field that also includes All-Stars Stephen Curry of Golden State and Kevin Love of Minnesota, plus Orlando's Arron Afflalo, Washington's Bradley Beal, Portland's Damian Lillard and San Antonio's Marco Belinelli.