RIO DE JANEIRO - Although the Miami Heat had been downplaying the game against LeBron James all along, coach Erik Spoelstra and Chris Bosh said Saturday that they were glad it was finally out of the way. Kyle Garlick Jersey .Spoelstra said there was certainly a level of strangeness in the preseason game in Rio de Janeiro, while Bosh said that he hopes now everybody can move on.The Cleveland Cavaliers won 122-119 in overtime, with James scoring seven points and picking up eight assists in 20 minutes at the HSBC Arena.It was the first time James played against the Heat since returning to Ohio after leading his former teammates to two NBA titles in four years.For me it was a special moment to be back there competing against my old teammates, James said. I didnt get that awkward feeling, but a lot of memories came back about the things that we accomplished.James barely talked to his teammates before and during the game, though, doing his usual game routine.If you have to do something like this, I think it really benefits both teams to get the awkwardness out of the way in the preseason, Spoelstra said. There was certainly a level of strangeness to it.He said he didnt think it really affected the way the teams approached their preparations, though.I think both teams also used this week just to concentrate on themselves, Spoelstra said. We have quite a bit of work to do to get our defence and our continuity offensively together. This was just another step, so in terms of game plan I dont think either team spent a lot of time on that.James and Bosh quickly shook hands, but didnt even seem to make eye contact before the game.Bosh said it was just normal routine stuff to guard James, but he also thought it was good that the meeting is already in the past.I like the fact that we could get everything out of the way, that we could just come out here for the preseason and kind of just let everybody see us, Bosh said. We can move on.He said it was tough as usual to play against the former teammate, but as far as him in another uniform and being on different teams, we are pretty much over that.We are here to improve our team, to get better, and he is doing the same thing, Bosh said. Im glad we could get that out of the way and move on.He acknowledged that its going to be a work in progress for the Heat to play without James.For the last four years, of course, its been a little easier with LeBron handling the ball, Bosh said. He made everybodys lives easier.___Follow Tales Azzoni at http://www.twitter.com/tazzoni Custom Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys . -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin is already starting to run out of superlatives to describe Scott Kazmir. A. J. Pollock Jersey . The result means Atletico Madrid now tops the table, with Madrid level on points in second and Barcelona a point behind in third with nine games remaining as the title race shapes up to be the closest in years. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/ . The judge sternly instructed the prosecutor to restrain himself and he apologized -- then went right back to trying to pick holes in the testimony of the double-amputee runner. It was a harsh day of cross-examination for Pistorius, challenged relentlessly about his account of the moments just before he killed Reeva Steenkamp, as well as circumstances related to several firearms charges against him, including the firing of a gun in a crowded restaurant.Chicago Blackhawks veteran Marian Hossa is a role model in the locker room, where younger teammates revere him.It means Im older, Hossa said. Im just glad I can still play.His consistency at both ends of the ice helps make the Blackhawks perennial Stanley Cup contenders. The 35-year-old Hossa passed the 1,100-game mark this season. On a team led by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, Hossa is one of the NHLs best defensive forwards.He just flies on the backcheck. Theres a lot of guys that skate a lot faster going forward than they do coming back to their own end, and hes not that way, Kane said. Hes so good at stripping the puck. Hes also good in these one-on-one battles where more often than not youre going to see him coming away with the puck.He doesnt seem to get any older, either. He seems to get better and better each year.This is Hossas 16th full NHL season and he remains a key cog for the Blackhawks, who have won the Cup twice in the past five years and visit the Washington Capitals on Thursday in the Winter Classic. Hossa is averaging 0.64 points a game, the lowest since his rookie year with the Ottawa Senators, but his two-way game is responsible for preventing more than a few goals against.Teammates past and present marvel at what Hossa can do in the defensive zone and without the puck.Hes got that powerful stride that gets him back in the play easily, said former Blackhawks forward Jeremy Morin, whos now with the Columbus Blue Jackets. And he can take the puck off your stick with ease. Hes so strong on the stick and its always in the right position. He can steal pucks with the best in the league, for sure.That, Blackhawks winger Brandon Saad said, is how Hossa turns defence into offence. In 1,127 games, Hossa has 472 goals and 547 assists.Hossa is 76th on the all-time points list, ahead of Hockey Hall of Famers Pat LaFontaine, Lanny McDonald and Maurice Richard. Hes 52nd in goals, ahead off LaFontaine, Doug Gilmour and Pavel Bure, and third among active players. Los Angeles Dodgers Store. His career numbers are similar to former Senators teammate Daniel Alfredsson, who retired earlier this month after putting up 426 goals and 682 assists in 1,178 games. But Hossa may be one of the most underrated players in the NHL.Maybe I would have more numbers but maybe some other teams wouldnt want me, Hossa said. Theres an advantage and disadvantage with that. Obviously, Im happy how the outcome played out.Hossa has two Stanley Cup rings and appeared in the final two other times. A five-time all-star, the Slovak winger with four Olympic appearances has a case for the Hall of Fame, even if its not easy to quantify.I know (from) being around him and still dominating like he does, I think its his 17th year, hes always been a great player, Saad said. Theres so many little things the guy does, its incredible.Hossa still has six seasons left on his contract at a cap hit of $5.2 million, so he likely has plenty of time before the Hall of Fame question even comes up.Hossa has been fortunate to avoid injuries throughout most of his career. The fewest games he played in a full season was 57 in 2009-10.Hossa gets some practices off because of his age and experience, but that doesnt seem to detract from his play. Coach Joel Quenneville calls him a great pro and a player who reinforces what the staff wants out of the team.Defensively and offensively, hes got a great thought process, Quenneville said. Game in, game out, you use him in all situations. Hes a very useful player.Before joining Chicago, Hossa was more than just a useful player for the Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings.We definitely know how special of a player he is, whether he gets the recognition or not, Saad said. Its pretty surreal to see a guy like that still playing and still doing as well as hes doing. ' ' '