OKLAHOMA CITY - As Russell Westbrook sat out for two months while recovering from knee surgery last season, he watched Kevin Durant emerge as a leader.Westbrook said two things stood out most about the way Durant picked up the slack for him — the stream of victories and the way Durant showed confidence in his teammates who also had to take on more significant roles.In Oklahoma Citys first preseason action since learning that Durant would be out with a Jones fracture in his right foot, Westbrook showed that same kind of confidence in his teammates and got similar results. He had 14 points and 12 assists in three quarters as the Thunder beat the Grizzlies 117-107 on Tuesday night.The game was an important step for the Thunder, and for Westbrook, as they prepare to start the season without the reigning MVP. Typical recovery time for Durants injury is six to eight weeks.Weve got to find a way to get rhythm, find sets, Westbrook said. I know for myself, Ive got to find a way to see how I can make an impact on the game and still be effective and win games.Durant walked around during timeouts and often smiled while talking to teammates throughout the game. Westbrook talked to his teammates, too. During a break in the action in the second quarter, he told centre Steven Adams, Every time, Steve-O. Adams scored 14 of his 22 points in that quarter in just eight minutes.Adams averaged just 3.3 points per game last season primarily as Kendrick Perkins backup, but he has made 24 of 28 field goals this preseason and leads the team with 18.7 points per game.Once I drive, the big has to help, Westbrook said. He (Adams) just has to be ready. He has big hands, man, he has huge hands. I think its an advantage. Great touch.Other Thunder players who sat out with injuries include Nick Collison (ankle sprain), Serge Ibaka (ankle sprain), Reggie Jackson (wrist contusion), Grant Jerrett (ankle), Mitch McGary (foot fracture) and Perkins (quad strain). Westbrook was the only regular from last seasons starting lineup who played.The injuries gave several players a chance to shine. Jeremy Lamb led the way with 23 points. Anthony Morrow, a free-agent pickup who last played for the New Orleans Pelicans, added 19 points.Oklahoma City trailed 32-23 at the end of the first quarter, but the Thunder scored 37 points in the second to take a 60-59 lead at the break. Oklahoma City extended its lead to 92-83 at the end of the third quarter.Key players Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince didnt play for the Grizzlies. Still, the Thunder were glad to get a chance to start figuring out how to be competitive without Durant and the other injured players.Its definitely a challenge, Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. Its not the ideal situation, but its a challenge that were all going to step up and learn from and get better from it. When our team is whole, we want to be a better team. Thats our mindset every day.___Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP Cheap Rockies Jerseys . The Blue Jackets got goals from Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner and R.J. Umberger and Curtis McElhinney posted his first shutout since 2011 in a 4-0 victory on Friday night. Rockies Jerseys 2020 .com) - The Minnesota Twins made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of outfielder Torii Hunter to a one-year contract. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/ . The Blue Jays lost to the New York Yankees 3-1 Tuesday night, their seventh defeat in 10 games. Rasmus was put on the 15-day DL on May 15 because of a sore right hamstring. Hes hitting .222 with nine home runs and 19 RBIs. Wholesale Rockies Jerseys .Just like old times.Only this time, just one got to enjoy a victory.James return to Miami as an opponent was a success — for the Heat, that is. Wade scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Luol Deng had 25 points and dogged James defensively all night, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 in a hyped Christmas matchup Thursday. Custom Colorado Rockies Jerseys . Neither player was available Saturday for the Knicks 107-98 loss in Atlanta. "Were going in a different direction and weve got to figure out another spot or two for our ballclub," coach Mike Woodson said before the game.The Toronto Blue Jays can wrap up their third Fenway Park series sweep since the beginning of 2012 this afternoon, when they visit the Boston Red Sox to close a three-game set. The Blue Jays made it two in a row in this series on Wednesday, when Edwin Encarnacion hit two home runs for the second game in a row in a 6-4 triumph. Encarnacion isnt just feasting on Red Sox pitching. The first baseman homered twice for the fourth time in 13 games and has 11 homers in his last 15 games, including five in the last three. Hes also driven in 14 runs in his last 13 games against Boston, with 10 extra-base hits. "Hes a dangerous hitter with tremendous power," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "You make mistakes, he makes you pay." Jose Reyes, Adam Lind and Dioner Navarro also had two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, whove won seven of their last nine. Xander Bogaerts and A.J. Pierzynski each had three hits and Shane Victorino belted a solo homer for the Red Sox, whove lost six straight for the first time since ending 2012 with eight consecutive setbacks. The Red Sox have scored 14 runs on the six-game skid and havent had a winless homestand of at least six games since 1994.dddddddddddd Blue Jays right-hander Drew Hutchison (3-3) allowed just one run on six hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings, striking out four. Red Sox righty Clay Buchholz (2-4) gave up five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits and two walks in just 4 2/3 innings. He is 0-2 in last three starts. On the mound for Toronto this afternoon is veteran lefty Mark Buehrle, who can take the major-league lead with an eighth victory alongside Los Angeles Dodgers starter Zack Greinke, whos also scheduled to start Thursday with a chance at win No. 8. Buehrle didnt win his eighth game last season until Aug. 10. Hes 4-0 with a tiny 1.25 earned run average in five road starts in 2014. His lone loss of the season came against Boston on April 25, however, after he was nicked for six earned runs and 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Starting for Boston in the finale is Jon Lester, who allowed a run on four hits in five innings of a tough-luck 1-0 loss to Detroit on Friday. He threw 94 pitches and was pulled shortly after a 47-minute rain delay. He dropped a 7-1 decision to Toronto on April 27, but was 4-0 against them last season. Boston took two of three from the Jays earlier in the year. ' ' '