For Diaz, welcome (back) to Miami

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz takes the field for an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov.18, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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Sporting’s coach Ruben Amorim applauds prior the Portuguese League Cup quarter final football match between Sporting CP and CD Nacional at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, on October 29, 2024. (Photo by Patricia DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

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For Diaz, welcome (back) to Miami

It’s a game not lacking for storylines. Duke’s Manny Diaz is about to coach against Miami for the first time since he was fired by the Hurricanes on Dec. 6, 2021. He will be facing Mario Cristobal, the man Miami hired to replace Diaz that same day. Both coaches are of Cuban descent, and both are Miami natives. That’s a lot to process. The fifth-ranked Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0 ACC) face Duke (6-2, 2-2) on Saturday. “This week, it’s been really about the task at hand,” Diaz said when asked about balancing the emotions around his return to Miami and the game itself. “Certainly, when the schedule comes out, you’re aware of it. ... I can’t predict what it’s going to be like on game day.” As for the Hurricanes, the buzz continues to grow. “This city loves backing a winner,” Cristobal said. “When the teams win, they come out in full force and it’s a different kind of energy. It’s been great here for Hurricanes’ national championships, Dolphins’ Super Bowls, Heat world championships. The Panthers this past year, the Marlins, it takes on just an entirely different mood and mode.”

Bronny nets 1st basket near home

The shot was familiar. So was the roar. As LeBron James watched from a few feet away, his son, Bronny, triggered another on-court celebration in Cleveland. Bronny’s dad gave him the stage to himself, and he knew just what to do on a floor where he first learned to dribbled. With LeBron on the bench in the final minutes of a blowout loss, Bronny scored his first points in an NBA game — on a shot that looked just like his old man — on Wednesday night in a 134-110 loss to the Cavaliers. “To see him get his first NBA basket in this arena, where he grew up not too far away from here, that’s an unbelievable moment,” LeBron said. “Unbelievable moment for him, and for our family it’s just pretty cool to be a part of it.” LeBron, who has been battling a cold, checked out in the fourth quarter after scoring 26 points in 29 minutes. From his seat at the end of L.A.’s bench, he got to enjoy seeing his son soak in the love from a Cavs crowd that cheered his every move for 11 seasons. Proud hardly described it. “It’s the greatest thing in the world,” LeBron said of seeing his son fulfill a dream.

Man United close to hiring Amorim

Manchester United target Rúben Amorim has promised to clarify his future coaching plans after his Sporting Lisbon team plays a Portuguese league game on Friday evening. Amorim spoke on Thursday at a news conference ahead of league-leading Sporting facing Estrela da Amadora. Sporting has started its title defense with nine straight wins. “After the game tomorrow, we will have the decision made,” Amorim said. The 39-year-old coach’s growing reputation and two Portuguese league titles in four seasons attracted Man United, which fired Erik ten Hag on Monday with the team 14th in the English Premier League. Sporting later released a statement to the Lisbon Stock Exchange saying United was interested in paying the release clause in Amorim’s contract worth 10 million euros ($10.8 million) in his contract. “It is a negotiation between two clubs,” Amorim said on Thursday. Reports suggest Amorim will move to Manchester during the next break for national team games. That would make his first Man United game on Nov. 24 at Ipswich.