Bla Bla » Oshies shot hit both posts but didnt

NEW ORLEANS -- For Greg Oden and his Miami Heat teammates, four minutes on an NBA court in a preseason game was cause for celebration. "Its been a long time and Ive been wanting to get out there," Oden said after his preseason debut in Miamis 108-95 victory at New Orleans on Wednesday night. "It was only a couple minutes, but it was what I needed, what I can handle right now and, you know, small baby steps." Oden is attempting to come back from knee injuries that have plagued him since he was drafted first overall out of Ohio State in 2007. The last time he played in an NBA game was on Dec. 5, 2009, for the Portland Trail Blazers. Not long after he came in against the Pelicans, he scored his only points of the night on a dunk, which was also his only shot. He also grabbed a pair of defensive rebounds. "It was a very special moment," LeBron James said of Odens appearance. "I have no idea what my feeling would be like, being away from the game for three years. It was like a proud moment, man. I was so excited for him when he got on the court and he checked in -- and his first basket he gets a dunk. Can you write it any better? Obviously hes not where he wants to be, but the process is going great. "I can just imagine how excited he was to get back out there," James continued. "Im going to have to take a toast for him, man. I aint no drinker, but I might have to take a shot for him. It was an absolutely great moment." Miami is a team used to celebrating NBA championships after winning the past two. Oden was gratified to see how much it also meant to the Heat to see him show the first small sign of a successful return to the game he loves, and missed. "In December it would be four years, so four minutes, thats enough for me," Oden said. "As long as I got out there and I walked off and Im healthy, thats all that matters. "I know the guys were happy for me," Oden added. "I definitely felt love. And Im excited that they were there for me." Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said Odens face "lit up" when he told him he was going to put him in the game. "We are just so pleased for him," Spoelstra said. "It was just great to see him do something he loves to do. It was taken away from him for four years. We just continue to make patient, steady progress forward from here." James scored 27 points and Dwyane Wade added 25 for the Heat, who trailed after three quarters but opened the fourth with a 21-2 run. Wade hit a 3 during the decisive surge, then stole the ball for a breakaway jam. Ray Allen did all his scoring with three straight 3s to make it 98-84. Chris Bosh had 14 points and nine rebounds for Miami (5-2), and Chris Andersen added 13 points. Eric Gordon scored 19 for New Orleans (6-1), while Anthony Davis had 18 points and eight rebounds. Anthony Morrow added 16 points, Jrue Holiday 12 and Ryan Anderson 10. Von Miller Broncos Jersey . -- With the Memphis Grizzlies struggling to find their offensive rhythm, O. John Elway Jersey . The defeat leaves the 41-year-old Nestor to concentrate on the mixed-doubles event after winning 12 straight matches and winning Australian titles in Brisbane and Sydney with two different partners. "This was a little bit of a let down, but all credit to them," said Nestor. http://www.thebroncosstoreonline.com/You...roncos-jerseys/. HABS HEADED TO CONFERENCE FINAL The Montreal Canadiens scored early in Game Seven, built a lead and protected it well on their way to a 3-1 series-clinching win over the Boston Bruins. While this game or series isnt necessarily a referendum on the value of fourth lines, the Canadiens certainly benefitted from production lower down their forward depth chart. Terrell Davis Jersey . - The Green Bay Packers got back to work on Friday without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Von Miller Jersey . - Quarterback Brady Quinn says he has been released by the Miami Dolphins.UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders won the game. And then, they didnt. And theyre still trying to figure out why. Kevin Shattenkirk and Alexander Steen scored in the shootout to give the St. Louis Blues a 4-3 win over the Islanders on Saturday following a puzzling goal reversal call in overtime. After T.J. Oshie tied it for the Blues with 27 seconds left in regulation, Thomas Vanek appeared to score the winner for the Islanders on the power play with 1:15 left in overtime -- but the play was overturned on review at the NHL offices in Toronto. The puck hit Vaneks skate blade and dribbled past Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak, but a distinct kicking motion that usually negates goals wasnt apparent. "I thought it was a terrible call," Vanek said. "I think we all know what a kicking motion is. My skate never elevated, it was on the ice the whole time. I dont know if its because who we are. I think if thats Pittsburgh or some of those top teams, its maybe a goal. "For that to be overturned is just too bad." Islanders coach Jack Capuano wouldnt be drawn into the controversy -- but knew what he saw. "The referees made the right call on the ice," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. "Then they must have seen something in Toronto that was conclusive." Added Blues coach Ken Hitchcock: "They arent going to make a mistake when it goes to Toronto." The Islanders had an early 2-0 lead for the second straight game. And again, they found themselves tied and in a battle. The Islanders (21-25-8) have led by two or more goals 15 times in 54 games this season -- and are 6-4-5 in those contests. Matt Martin put the Islanders ahead 3-2 midway through the second period. The home team was almost able to withstand the Blues relentless pressure in the games closing minutes. Earlier in the period, Oshies shot hit both posts but didnt cross the goal line behind Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin. Vanek and Kyle Okposo scored in the first for the Islanders, who lost for the fifth time in 15 games. Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice for the Blues. Poulin made a number of acrobatic saves for New York, with hiss best being a point-blank pad save on Blues leading scorer Steen midway through the second.dddddddddddd He also denied Steen and Oshie during a power play midway through the third. But the Blues (35-11-5) wouldnt quit, leaving Hitchcock pleased. "This was good, gritty road win," he said. "I like the way the team played in the third period." Vanek opened the scoring at 4:01 of the first, slapping the puck by Halak for his 19th of the season. Vanek has points in 17 of his last 19 games with nine goals and 16 assists during the stretch. The 30-year-old left wing was acquired from Buffalo on Oct. 27 for Matt Moulson and two high draft picks. The line of Vanek, John Tavares and Kyle Okposo was at it again at 15:11 when Okposo jammed the puck past Halak for his 22nd goal of the year. Fans at Nassau Coliseum also chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!" for Okposo, who wasnt picked for the U.S. team for the Winter Games next month in Russia even though hes having a breakout season. Okposo already has a career-high 54 points. Tarasenko cut the margin in half at 17:17 of the first, beating Poulin high from about 30 feet out. The 22-year-old right wing scored again at 1:17 of the second, his 17th goal this season. He hit the left post late in second and had a golden chance midway through the third when his rebound shot appeared to hit both posts without going into the net. The Blues won the previous meeting this season, 5-1 at the Scottrade Center on Dec. 5. They were completing visits to all three local teams. They defeated the Rangers 2-1 on Thursday after losing 7-1 in Newark to the Devils. "This a great way to end the trip with a bonus point," Oshie said. "We found a way to battle back and well have a fun ride home." NOTES: The Blues host the Devils on Tuesday. St. Louis is 16-3-1 against the East this season. They are 40-10-6 against the East since 2010-11, league-best intra-conference play. ... The Islanders are 19-6-3 when they score at least three goals and are 2-19-5 when they do not. ... Ten members of the Blues will represent their countries at the Olympics, tying Chicago and Detroit for the most among NHL teams.