76ers court James as they top Cavaliers

PHILADELPHIA 108 CLEVELAND 97

J.J. Redick scored 22 points, Joel Embiid had 17 points and 14 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers delivered an in-person sales pitch to LeBron James by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-97 on Thursday night to end an 11-game losing streak against the Eastern Conference champions.

Ben Simmons scored 18 and Dario Saric 16, including a critical three-pointer in the closing minutes, for the rising 76ers, who are 8-2 since Feb. 6.

James finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Earlier this week, three billboards urging the three-time champion to sign as a free agent this summer with Philadelphia were unveiled on a busy highway outside Cleveland. James said he hadn’t seen the signs, which were paid for by a Pennsylvania company, but he was pleased that fans want him.

at Sacramento 116, Brooklyn 111 (OT):

Bogdan Bogdanovic made a go-ahead short runner from the baseline with 1:06 left in overtime, then added a pair of free throws for the Kings. Sacramento blew a lead late in the fourth quarter but outscored the Nets 16-11 in the extra period to end a five-game losing streak.

at Portland 108, Minnesota 99:

Damian Lillard scored 35 points after a slow start and the Trail Blazers rallied to beat the Timberwolves for their season-high fifth consecutive victory.

Lakers 131, at Miami 113