Digest

NFL

49ers sign QB Thad Lewis

Quarterback Thad Lewis is being reunited with his former Eagles coach Chip Kelly, signing a one-year contract to join the San Francisco 49ers and play for Kelly again.

The team announced the deal on Thursday, its first formal transaction of the NFL's new calendar year. San Francisco was expected to try to trade quarterback Colin Kaepernick, with several teams believed to be in the mix to acquire him - including the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos following Peyton Manning's retirement and Brock Osweiler's departure for Houston.

Basketball

Bosh says he'll be back this season

Chris Bosh says he no longer is dealing with any active blood clots, and remains hopeful he can return to the Miami Heat this season.

The 11-time All-Star made those remarks in a statement released on Thursday. He did not offer a potential timetable for his return to the court.

Bosh's statement does not mention bloodthinners, so it remains unclear if he is still taking them.

Spurs extend home win record

Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points as the San Antonio Spurs preserved their 100 percent record at home this season with a 109-101 win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, their 31st home win of the season.

San Antonio has now won 40 straight home games in the regular season including the latter part of last season, the fourth best unbeaten home run in NBA history. Tim Duncan became only the sixth player in NBA history to amass 15,000 rebounds.

The Golden State Warriors hold the record for most consecutive home victories, currently standing at 46 dating back to the 2014-15 campaign.

Badminton

Champion Chen sent packing

Holder Chen Long was dumped out of the All-England Championships as fellow Chinese and close friend Xue Song continued the upsets in the men's singles on Thursday.

A day after second-ranked Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia was sent packing, top seed Chen was beaten 21-19, 21-17 as Xue atoned for his early defeat last year to advance to the quarterfinals.

"I have to say the top seeds losing means the general standard of men's singles is very high," Chen said. "I am feeling well but I will have to go home and find out what went wrong today."

Agencies

(China Daily 03/12/2016 page11)