Basics und Grundinfos » year, Orioles fans were out in force. U

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 Air Jordan 5 Retro Canada . Ashton scored a hat trick -- giving him 13 goals in 16 AHL games this season -- to power the Toronto Marlies to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Lake Erie Monsters in AHL action on Sunday. Cheap Jordan 5 Canada .com) - The Hatch Attack is back in the Southern Conference. http://www.cheapairjordan5canada.com/ . - Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte sees the commitment to the handoff and cant help but come away impressed. Air Jordan 5 For Sale Cheap .com) - Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant combined for 51 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder took down the struggling Bucks 114-101 on Tuesday. Jordan Retro 5 For Sale Cheap . -- Ryan Millers debut for the St.BALTIMORE -- In case it wasnt evident before opening day, we now know why the Baltimore Orioles added another slugger to a team that led the major leagues in home runs last season. Nelson Cruz celebrated his Orioles debut by hitting a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, and Baltimore beat Jon Lester and the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox 2-1 Monday. Signed as a free agent in February, Cruz lined a solo shot into the left field seats to put the Orioles ahead. He hit 27 homers last year with Texas during a season marred by a 50-game suspension from Major League Baseball in the Biogenesis drug scandal. Cruz joins a batting order that features Chris Davis, who led the majors in 2013 with 53 homers and 138 RBIs. Davis went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts as the cleanup hitter, but it didnt matter because the guy in the 5-hole picked up the slack. "It takes some of the pressure off everybody in the lineup knowing that you can pass the baton and the next guy can pick it up," Davis said. "We have to know as hitters going into the game that we can be patient, we can wait for our pitch, knowing that the guy behind us can pick us up." Cruz, meanwhile, couldnt have been more delighted. Not only did the Orioles provide him with a fresh start, but the fans chanted "Cruuuuuze!" every time his name was announced. "It was really neat, it was special," he said. "I made the right call to come and be part of this organization, be part of this town." Cruz wasnt the only player to enjoy a successful start with his new team. After missing two seasons recovering from knee surgery, Boston centre fielder Grady Sizemore marked his return from a 922-day absence with a second-inning single for his first hit since September 2011. The three-time All-Star for Cleveland later hit his first home run since July 15, 2011, which also came at Camden Yards. "Today was very exciting," Sizemore said. "I couldnt wait to get to the ballpark." Zach Britton (1-0) got the win with two scoreless innings of relief and Tommy Hunter got three outs for the save. Hunter earned the job as closer this spring after the Orioles dealt away Jim Johnson during the off-season. The Red Sox got two on with one out in the ninth before World Series MVP David Ortiz hit a flyball and Jackie Bradley Jr. took a called third strike. "Its life in baseball," Hunter said. "Youve got to earn everything you get. Onee-run game to start the season off against the defending world champs.dddddddddddd" Starting on the road for the fourth year in a row, the Red Sox got nine hits but stranded 12 and went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position. "We had a lot of opportunities, we had a lot of guys on," second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. "We just hit the ball right at people. It was one of those deals where we couldnt find a way to push runs across." Making his fourth straight opening day start for Boston, Lester (0-1) gave up two runs, six hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out eight. Orioles starter Chris Tillman allowed one run, seven hits and a walk in five innings. The right-hander went 3-1 against Boston last year, but in this one he needed 104 pitches to get 15 outs. Britton gave up a one-out double to Xander Bogaerts in the sixth and got three straight outs in the seventh, the only time all day that Boston went down in order. Evan Meek walked two in the eighth before Brian Matusz retired A.J. Pierzynski on a comebacker. Gametime temperature was announced at 60 degrees, but a stiff wind chilled many in the crowd of 46,685 -- the 23rd consecutive opening day sellout at Camden Yards. Hopeful that the off-season acquisitions of Cruz and right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez will enable Baltimore to return to the playoffs after missing out last year, Orioles fans were out in force. Until recently, games against Boston often drew as many Red Sox backers as those rooting for the home team. "Our crowd was legit," Hunter said. "That was awesome. I hope they come out like that every game for 80 more here." The Orioles used a walk, a single by Matt Wieters and a double-play grounder to take a 1-0 lead in the second. The Red Sox put runners at second and third with two outs in the third before Tillman struck out Mike Carp. In the fourth, Sizemore hit a 3-1 pitch over the right-field wall. NOTES: Dustin Pedroia got Bostons first hit of the season, a one-out single in the first inning, to extend his hitting streak on opening day to eight games. ... After taking Tuesday off, the teams meet Wednesday night. John Lackey (13-5 lifetime against Baltimore) faces Jimenez in his Orioles debut. ... The Red Sox put RF Shane Victorino (hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Bradley. ... Ortiz received his 12th opening day start at DH, tying Don Baylors major league record at the position. ' ' '