Raptors' Valanciunas out Friday after birth of child

The slumping Toronto Raptors will be without their starting center against the Miami Heat on Friday, but it comes with good news.

Jonas Valanciunas will sit out Friday's game for personal reasons, as his wife gave birth to a baby boy on Thursday night.

The Raptors will be in tough without Valanciunas' services, however, as Heat center Hassan Whiteside is sure to be a load inside.

Valanciunas, like many of his Raptors teammates, has been inconsistent on the defensive end, but the 22-year-old is still enjoying a career year, averaging 12 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on a True Shooting Percentage of 62.0.