Quarterbacks try to solidify status as Niners battle Bucs

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Quarterbacks try to solidify status as Niners battle Bucs

The San Francisco 49ers and host Tampa Bay Buccaneers will put their quarterback problems on display Sunday when they renew what has been a lopsided series. The 49ers' Nick Mullens will make his third start of the season, while the Buccaneers' Jameis Winston will make his fourth under completely different circumstances.

NBA notebook: Thunder G Diallo avoids serious injury

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo was diagnosed with a sprained left ankle and will be re-evaluated in seven to 10 days, the team announced Thursday. The update was encouraging for the 20-year-old rookie, who left the Thunder's 123-95 victory against the Golden State Warriors on a stretcher Wednesday after landing awkwardly on his lower left leg.

At Boca-River Superclasico, fans take center stage

They call it the greatest rivalry in football and the people who watch it the greatest fans in the world. And this weekend, they are calling the meeting of Argentina's Boca Juniors and River Plate the greatest final ever. While Europe has the Champions League with money, glamor, and organization, the Copa Libertadores played in South America is all about grit, passion and unpredictability.

Top 25 roundup: Roach, Texas down No. 7 UNC

Kerwin Roach II scored a career-high 32 points on 12-of-15 shooting as Texas outlasted No. 7 North Carolina 92-89 on Thursday in the opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational. Jaxson Hayes added 15 points, including a pair of crucial free throws with 21 seconds left, to help Texas (5-0) advance to a championship showdown Friday with No. 11 Michigan State. The Tar Heels (5-1) will oppose No. 17 UCLA in the consolation game.

Broncos hoping to cool down surging Steelers

The Denver Broncos keep running into red-hot opponents, a trend that will continue when the streaking Pittsburgh Steelers visit on Sunday. Three weeks ago, the Broncos (4-6) faced the Houston Texans on a five-game winning streak. Twice they played the explosive Kansas City Chiefs. They also came close to handing the Los Angeles Rams their first loss, and last week they battled the Los Angeles Chargers, winners of six in a row.

Jackson's pick-6 lifts Bears over Lions on Thanksgiving

Eddie Jackson returned an interception 41 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with six minutes remaining, and the Chicago Bears held on for a 23-16 Thanksgiving Day victory over the host Detroit Lions. Chicago quarterback Chase Daniel, who had not started a game since Dec. 28, 2014 when he played for Kansas City, completed 27 of 37 passes for 230 yards and two scoring passes. Daniel filled in for Mitchell Trubisky, who missed the game with a shoulder injury but is reportedly expected back in Week 13.

Villanova snaps 2-game skid in routing Canisius

Sophomore forward Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree had career highs with 15 points and 13 rebounds for his first double-double and Phil Booth had 15 points when Villanova beat Canisius 83-56 in the first round of the AdvoCare Invitational in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday. Freshman Saddiq Bey had 11 points and eight rebounds, freshman Cole Swider had 11 points including three 3-pointers off the bench and seven different players made treys for the Wildcats (3-2). Villanova, who lost their top four scorers from the 2018 NCAA title team, had lost two in a row to fall out of the AP Top 25 for the first since Dec. 2013. They had been ranked for 75 consecutive weeks.

NFL notebook: Packers TE Graham aims to play with broken thumb

Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham returned to the practice field on Thursday on the heels of breaking his thumb in last week's game against Seattle. Graham had not practiced yet this week but is set to attempt to play with a heavily bandaged broken thumb when the Packers return to the field Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings. Graham, who was officially limited, was seen at practice sporting a bulky wrap around the thumb.

NFL roundup: Saints win 10th straight

Drew Brees threw four touchdown passes, and the New Orleans defense forced four turnovers and suffocated the Atlanta running attack as the Saints won their league-best 10th consecutive game with a 31-17 victory over the visiting Falcons on Thursday night. Brees didn't have to throw often -- he completed 15 of 22 for 171 yards -- because the Saints (10-1) controlled the ball on the ground with 150 yards, including 89 by Alvin Kamara and 52 by Mark Ingram II.

NBA roundup: LeBron wins in return to Cleveland

LeBron James scored 32 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out seven assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a come-from-behind 109-105 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday in his return to Cleveland. The Lakers, sparked by James, went on a 16-3 run late in the fourth quarter to erase a 99-91 Cavaliers lead. All five Los Angeles starters scored in double figures, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 13 off the bench.