>>The Latest
(Undated) — Here is the latest sports news: NFL Playoffs continue this weekend. NFL looking into Raiders’ Rooney Rule. Steelers’ Bell doesn’t want to be franchised again. NFL reveals 2018 London games. Celtics beat Sixers in London.
>>NFL Divisional Round Preview
(Undated) — The NFL playoffs resume this weekend with the Divisional Round. Tomorrow, the Eagles host the Falcons and the Titans visit the Patriots. Philadelphia is starting Nick Foles at quarterback for the injured Carson Wentz. On Sunday, the Jaguars travel to face the Steelers and the Vikings welcome the Saints to Minneapolis. The AFC and NFC Championship Games are next weekend.
>>NFL Looking Into Rooney Rule With Raiders
(Oakland, CA) — The Raiders’ hiring of Jon Gruden is coming under some fire. The NFL is looking into whether Oakland violated the Rooney Rule. Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie said on Tuesday that he interviewed two minority candidates before announcing Gruden’s return to Oakland. The two interviewed were Raiders tight ends coach Bobby Johnson and USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin.
>>Steelers’ Bell Would Consider Sitting Out Or Retirement If Tagged Again
(Pittsburgh, PA) — Steelers running back Le’Veon [[ LAY-vee-on ]] Bell is already thinking about next season and beyond. The 25-year-old tells ESPN that he is prepared to sit out a season or even retire if the Steelers use the franchise tag on him for a second straight year. Bell’s franchise tag was worth 12.1-million-dollars this season. That number is expected to rise to about 14.5-million next season.
>>NFL Unveils 2018 London Lineup
(New York, NY) — The NFL is unveiling its three-game London slate for next season. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Raiders October 14th at Tottenham Stadium, the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars on either October 21st or 28th at Wembley Stadium, and the Tennessee Titans take on the Los Angeles Chargers on either October 21st or 28th, also at Wembley Stadium.
>>Celtics Rally Past Sixers In London
(London, England) — The Celtics rallied from 22 points down to beat the Sixers 114-103 at the O2 Arena in London. Kyrie Irving collected 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists for Boston, which stretched its winning streak to seven games. Jaylen Brown added 21 points for the Celtics, who lead the Eastern Conference at 34-and-10. JJ Redick hit 5-of-9 from three en route to 22 points for Philadelphia.
>>THURSDAY’S SCOREBOARD
NBA
——
Boston Celtics 114, Philadelphia 76ers 103 (at London, England)
Toronto Raptors 133, Cleveland Cavaliers 99
LA Clippers 121, Sacramento Kings 115
Los Angeles Lakers 93, San Antonio Spurs 81
NHL
——
Carolina Hurricanes 3, Washington Capitals 1
Buffalo Sabres 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 1
Calgary Flames 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 1
Top-25 College Basketball (“USA Today” Coaches’ Poll)
——
#5 Wichita State Shockers 95, East Carolina Pirates 60
Oregon Ducks 76, #11 Arizona State Sun Devils 72
#14 Gonzaga Bulldogs 103, Portland Pilots 57
#21 Arizona Wildcats 62, Oregon State Beavers 53
North Carolina State Wolfpack 78, #17 Clemson Tigers 77
>>FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE (All times are Eastern)
NBA
——
7:00 p.m. – Utah Jazz at Charlotte Hornets
7:00 p.m. – Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards
7:00 p.m. – Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers
7:30 p.m. – Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks
8:00 p.m. – New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves
8:00 p.m. – Golden State Warriors at Milwaukee Bucks
8:00 p.m. – Portland Trail Blazers at New Orleans Pelicans
9:00 p.m. – Memphis Grizzlies at Denver Nuggets
10:30 p.m. – Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns
NHL
——
7:00 p.m. – Vancouver Canucks at Columbus Blue Jackets
7:30 p.m. – Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes
7:30 p.m. – Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers
8:30 p.m. – Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks
9:00 p.m. – Edmonton Oilers at Arizona Coyotes
Top-25 College Basketball (“USA Today” Coaches’ Poll)
——
No Games Scheduled
