James swats away talk of visit to Philadelphia
This LeBron James-to-Philly stuff is getting either silly or serious.
Just days after three billboards, paid for by a Pennsylvania company, popped up in Ohio urging James to sign with the 76ers this summer as a free agent, the three-time NBA champion reportedly was spotted in the Philadelphia area over the All- Star break touring area high schools.
Sixers TV game analyst Alaa Abdelnaby said he was told that James, who has three kids, looked at private schools in Philadelphia last month.
“I’ve told this to a few other people, and I have no problem saying this,” Abdelnaby said on Philly Sports Talk. “My brother lives in the Philadelphia area and he told me that LeBron, last week through a superintendent, was in the area checking out some private schools during the All-Star break.”
At Thursday’s shootaround before the Cavs hosted the Sixers, James was asked if hewas in Philadelphia.
“Pennsylvania? Nah,” he said. “What are you talking about? Over the All- Star break, Iwas on vacation and then went to Los Angeles.”
Following the group interview session, James was still wondering why he was asked about being in Philadelphia a few weeks ago. Told that it was because of reports that he was spotted there, James grimaced.
“That’s disgusting,” he said.
And if the rumors weren’t enough, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid posted a photo on Twitter of him and James with the comment: “Trust The Process??? Always a great time playing against one of the best to ever play the game # summer2018 goals.” 76ERS 108, CAVALIERS 97 » J. J. Redick scored 22 points, Embiid had 17 points and 14 rebounds, and the 76ers delivered an in-person sales pitch to James by beat- ing Cleveland on Thursday night to end an 11-game losing streak against the Eastern Conference champions.
Rookie Ben Simmons scored 18 and Dario Saric 16, including a critical 3- pointer in the closing minutes, for the rising Sixers, who are 8-2 since Feb. 6.
James finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, but the superstar couldn’t rally the Cavs in the final minutes.
LAKERS 131, HEAT 113 » Isaiah Thomas scored a season-high 29 points, Julius Randle added 25, and Los Angeles continued its surge by winning in Miami. Brandon Ingram added 19 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 18 for the Lakers. KINGS 116, NETS 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 and host Sacramento beat Brooklyn. The Kings blew a lead late in the fourth quarter but outscored the Nets 16-11 in the extra period to end a fivegame losing streak. TRAILBLAZERS108, TIMBERWOLVES 99 » Damian Lillard finished with 35 points to help host Portland overcome 34 points from Karl-Anthony Towns.
BREWER TO SIGN WITH THUN
DER » Former Lakers guard Corey Brewer will sign with Oklahoma City after he clears waivers. The move was confirmed by Brewer’s agent, Happy Walters.
The Lakers agreed to a buyout with the 6-foot- 9 Brewer on Wednesday. He will help fill the void Andre Roberson left for the Thunder when he ruptured his left patellar tendon and was lost for the season. The Thunder have started multiple players with limited results since the injury. SMITH SUSPENDED ONE GAME » Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith has been suspended one game by the team for detrimental conduct. Coach Tyronn Lue gave no further specifics about the punishment. Smith served the penalty on Thursday.