(Cleveland, OH) — The streaking Thunder knocked off the Cavaliers 95-86 in Cleveland. Dennis Schroder [[ SHROO-der ]] scored 28 points as Oklahoma City won its sixth straight game since an 0-and-4 start. The Cavaliers are the first team in the league this season to reach double-digit losses at 1-and-10.
(New Orleans, LA) — Anthony Davis poured in a game high 32 points, grabbed 15 boards and dished out seven assists to lead the Pelicans to a 107-98 victory over the Bulls in New Orleans. Zach LaVine [[ luh-veen ]] scored 22 points and Jabari Parker added 20 for Chicago, who dropped to 3-and-9. The Bulls have dropped five out of their last six games. They return home to play the Cavs Saturday night.
>>NBA To Televise All-Star Draft
(New York, NY) — The NBA will televise this season’s All-Star draft. The league and the Players Association have agreed to put the playground-style selection process on T.V. LeBron James and Steph Curry chose sides as captains last season. This season’s All-Star Game is February 17th in Charlotte.
(Champaign, IL) — The Illinois men’s basketball team is set to open the regular season tonight at home against Evansville. The Illini has eight newcomers, six of whom are freshman. Returning players include Trent Frazier, Kipper Nichols, Aaron Jordan and Da’Monte Williams.
(Chicago, IL) — The Blackhawks host the Hurricanes tonight. It will be the first time the Hawks have played since the firing of a longtime coach Joel Quenneville [[ KWEN-vill ]] earlier this week. Jeremy Colliton was named as his replacement. Chicago is 6-6-and-3 and on a five-game losing streak.
>>Blues Host Sharks Tomorrow Night
(St. Louis, MO) — The Blues will host the Sharks tomorrow night. St. Louis is 5-5-and-3 following a 4-1 win Tuesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Ryan O’Reilly scored his first NHL hat trick in the victory. San Jose comes in at 8-4-and-3.
(Chicago, IL) — Another change could be coming to the Cubs’ coaching staff. Reports say Jim Hickey may not return as pitching coach in 2019. It isn’t clear weather he will be let go or reassigned in the organization. Chicago’s coaching staff has already seen changes this offseason, including the firing of hitting coach Chili Davis and the departure of assistant Andy Haines.
>>Saints Sign WR Dez Bryant
(Metairie, LA) — The Saints are bolstering their wide receiving corps. They’ve agreed to a one-year contract with former Cowboys star Dez Bryant. New Orleans is riding a seven-game winning streak and leads the NFC South at 7-and-1, but has been plagued by injuries and underperformance at wideout.
>>Panthers At Steelers On TNF
(Pittsburgh, PA) — The Panthers are in Pittsburgh tonight to play the Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Carolina has won three in-a-row and five of its last six to improve to 6-and-2 overall, one game behind the Saints in the NFC South. Pittsburgh has won four straight and leads the AFC North at 5-2-and-1.