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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 Trey Lyles Jersey . Coach Jorge Sampaoli resisted naming any major surprises in the list published Tuesday at the site of Chiles football association. Chile is pinning its hopes on the recovery of Vidal. Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Authentic . The Canadians led for much of the game before Argentina forced overtime in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter. Canada weathered the storm after squandering a lead with a series of made shots. "Its a fantastic win for our country with 11 first-time Canadian national team members," said head coach Roy Rana. http://www.cheapnuggetsjerseys.com/. Claude Noel will be the man behind the bench when the team hits the ice of the MTS Centre to begin its inaugural season. Alex English Jersey . After deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league would consider pulling out of Sochi if something "significant" happens before players arrive, those set to participate are trying not to worry about that scenario. Wholesale Nuggets Jerseys . TSNs Farhan Lalji reports the Edmonton Eskimos non-import DT has a workout scheduled with an NFL team next week and isnt expected to sign a deal with any team until then.EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - The Los Angeles Kings decided they could wait no longer for Mike Richards to regain his championship form.The Kings put Richards on waivers Monday when they returned from the all-star break, finally acknowledging the veteran centres declining play.Richards has been a key part of the Kings two Stanley Cup championship teams in the past three seasons, playing a responsible two-way role and providing leadership. But his plummeting offensive production hasnt matched his exorbitant contract since shortly after he arrived in Los Angeles, which acquired him from Philadelphia in 2011.The Kings stuck by Richards, hoping he would reclaim his formidable offensive game. But when Los Angeles returned from the break in ninth place in the Western Conference standings, general manager Dean Lombardi made the move.I felt he deserved that chance for all that he had done for us, Lombardi said during practice at their training complex. I dont think theres any question we dont win that first Cup without what he did for this team, and obviously you dont win the second one. But youve still got to be at a certain level here that has to get done.Richards, who turns 30 next month, has only five goals and 10 assists in 47 games with Los Angeles this season. He has a minus-7 rating and has won only 48 per cent of his faceoffs while playing on a depth line with the Kings — not the contributions expected of a player with a 12-year, $69 million contract that has a $5.75 million annual salary cap hit for the next six seasons.If Richards clears waivers and the Kings dont work out a trade, he could be headed to their AHL affiliate in Manchester if he accepts the assignment. Lombardi sees no reason why he cant come back ... and be what he usually is in the playoffs if his game improves in the minors.The Kings clearly are in need of a spark after losing four straight and seven of eight heading into the break, falling out of the playoff picture. Los Angeles recalled rookie Nick Shore to take Richards rroster spot.ddddddddddddWe understand its a business, but in here, youre a family, Kings captain Dustin Brown said. So thats why its really hard to see (Richards) go on waivers. ... As a group of guys who have won together, its even harder.Lombardi and Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter have ardently defended Richards in recent years, even declining the chance to do a money-saving buyout of his contract last summer.Lombardi, who values continuity and player loyalty in a league that has largely lost touch with the concepts, finally made the move long anticipated by Kings fans after trying to trade Richards in recent weeks.Its been a big part of the success of this team, Lombardi said. If youre going to expect loyalty from certain players, at times you have to show loyalty to them. The issue becomes, wheres that line? Im never going to lose my belief in those values being critical, but as we see in the cap era, the cap is actually designed ... to eliminate those type of emotions. Unfortunately, I still believe theyre a critical part of a good team.Richards scored 89 goals over three seasons with the Flyers from 2007-10, and the club made him its captain and signed him to that mammoth extension in December 2007.But the Kings gave up Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn when Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren decided to break up his core with separate trades of Richards and goal-scorer Jeff Carter, who ended up being reunited with Richards in Los Angeles several months later.Richards contract still runs through 2020. His scoring production has dropped every year since 2010, down to just 11 goals last season.The Kenora, Ont., native became the first hockey player to win Olympic gold, world-junior gold, the Memorial Cup and Stanley Cup. He was part of the 2010 Canadian Olympic team that won gold in Vancouver.In 704 career NHL games, Richards has 133 goals and 216 assists. His career high in points was 80, back in 2008-09 with the Flyers.— With files from The Canadian Press. ' ' '