Former Zag Pargo hits 28 in Cavs’ win
NBA: Former Gonzaga University standout Jeremy Pargo, filling in for the injured Kyrie Irving, scored a career-high 28 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers broke a six-game losing streak with a 92-83 win over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
The Cavaliers came into the game with a 2-8 record, but stopped the Sixers’ three-game winning streak despite not having Irving. The NBA’s reigning rookie of the year is expected to miss a month with a broken left index finger. He was injured Saturday against Dallas and played the next night in Philadelphia before an MRI exam revealed a crack in the bone.
Pargo knocked down 11 of 19 shots from the floor and had five rebounds, four assists and a steal.
• Durant, Westbrook hold off Clippers: Kevin Durant scored 35 points, Russell Westbrook added 23 and Oklahoma City’s All-Star tandem scored all of the Thunder’s points in overtime in a 117-111 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers, who came in tied for the best record in the Western Conference, had a six-game winning streak snapped.
Seahawks activate wide receiver Martin
NFL: Wide receiver Charly Martin has been added to the active roster for the Seattle Seahawks, filling a roster spot made available when rookie safety Winston Guy was handed a four-game suspension.
Martin was added to the roster from Seattle’s practice squad. To fill the open practice squad spot, the Seahawks signed wide receiver Corbin Louks.
Guard James Carpenter has been cleared to return to practice after missing the past two games with a concussion. Carpenter was limited in practice Wednesday and coach Pete Carroll did not say if Carpenter would move back into the starting lineup or if the Seahawks would continue using John Moffitt.
• Quinn named starter: Brady Quinn is getting another shot on the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback merry-go-round.
Coach Romeo Crennel announced that Quinn will start Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, regaining the job he lost when he suffered a concussion against the Oakland Raiders.
• Cutler cleared to practice: Jay Cutler has cleared one hurdle in his goal to return from a concussion in time for Sunday’s game against the Vikings at Soldier Field.
Cutler will practice today for the first time since suffering a head injury in the Nov. 11 loss to the Texans.
• Gabbert out for season: The Jacksonville Jaguars have placed quarterback Blaine Gabbert and receiver Laurent Robinson on injured reserve, ending their season.
The Jags will start Chad Henne at quarterback against Tennessee on Sunday.
• Lindley will starts for Cardinals: Rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley will get his chance to revive the dormant Arizona offense, making his first NFL start when the Cardinals are home against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
ESPN lands football playoffs for 12 years
Miscellany: The college football playoff system will be televised on ESPN for 12 years once it starts after the 2014 season, the network said.
The title game will be played on a Monday, at least a week after the semifinals.
The deal is worth about $470 million a year, a person with knowledge of the terms said.
ESPN’s current four-year contract to air the Sugar, Orange, Fiesta bowls and the BCS title game is worth about $125 million per year.
• Camacho on life support: The family of Hector “Macho” Camacho tried to decide Wednesday whether he should be removed from life support after a shooting in his San Juan, Puerto Rico, hometown left the former boxing champion clinging to life and his fans mourning the loss of a dynamic and often troubled athlete.
Camacho, 50, was shot as he and a friend sat in a Ford Mustang parked outside a bar. Police found nine small bags of cocaine in the friend’s pocket, and a 10th bag open inside the car. Doctors initially had said Camacho was in critical, but stable condition.