PHILADELPHIA — Ending speculation that Larry Brown would again coach the Philadelphia 76ers, team president Billy King said on Friday that Maurice Cheeks would return next year for a third season.
"I think under these circumstances, he's done a good job," King said before the Sixers played the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Sixers (24-38) hoped to contend for an Eastern Conference playoff spot this season before chemistry problems and a slow start derailed the franchise. Former MVP Allen Iverson clashed with the mild-mannered Cheeks and was eventually traded to Denver, and unhappy forward Chris Webber had his contract bought out.
With the two biggest distractions gone, the Sixers started playing better. They won their season-high sixth-straight game on Friday against the Lakers, the longest active streak in the Eastern Conference, and have won seven straight at home.
"I'm excited about that," Cheeks said. "I'm pleased about that, but my job is to get better night in and night out."
PISTONS RECALL BLALOCK: The Detroit Pistons recalled guard Will Blalock from Sioux Falls of the NBA Development League on Friday. In four games with the Skyforce, Blalock averaged 7.0 points, 8.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 26.5 minutes. Detroit selected Blalock out of Iowa State with the 60th and final pick of last year's NBA draft. He appeared in 13 games with the Pistons earlier this season.
WEST SITS OUT: Boston guard Delonte West sat out the Celtics' game against the Seattle SuperSonics because of a concussion. West sustained a mild concussion in the third quarter of the Celtics' 111-80 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. He spent the night at New England Baptist Hospital and was released Thursday. Boston coach Doc Rivers said he's unsure when West will return.
SONICS SUSPEND FORTSON: The Seattle SuperSonics suspended already idled forward Danny Fortson for two games without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. The suspension covers Friday night's game at Boston and Sunday's game at Toronto. Fortson, a 10th-year veteran, is in the final year of a contract paying him nearly $6.6 million this season. So Fortson will lose more than $160,900 during the suspension. General manager Rick Sund announced the punishment Friday, a day after Fortson missed a practice during a road trip in Boston that was mandatory for reserves.