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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Its not often Mario Chalmers receives a louder ovation than LeBron James., his Miami Heat teammate. On Friday night, the two-time defending NBA champions were playing the Charlotte Bobcats at the Sprint Center, about 40 miles from the University of Kansas, where Chalmers starred on the Jayhawks national championship team. So Chalmers wasnt surprised to receive more of a reaction from the crowd during the 86-75 preseason victory. In fact, he expected it. "Its custom out here, its supposed to be like that," Chalmers said. "Anytime I get to come back and play in front of the Jayhawks fans its a lot of fun." James paced the Heat (3-0) with 20 points while Chalmers added 10 points and four assists. Michael Beasley, who played at Kansas State and faced Chalmers as a Big 12 foe for one season, scored 13 points. Early in the first quarter Beasley scored nine of 10 points, including six straight, in the run that gave the Heat their first breathing room. Even with Beasley playing well, Chalmers wasnt worried about losing any of the fans affection. "This is more of KU territory, Sprint Center," Chalmers said. This is the fourth year Miami has played an exhibition game in Kansas City, and the crowd was decidedly in the Heats favour. So even though he wasnt necessarily the star of the show, that was just fine with James. "Its a great crowd," James said. "Obviously they love us and were very thankful that they welcome us with open arms every time we come here and play. Its fun to play in front of a crowd like that." Al Jefferson paced Charlotte (0-2) with 11 points and Jeff Taylor added 10. The game featured little offensive rhythm, and the Heats biggest lead was 15 points. But the Bobcats stuck around in the fourth quarter, using the lack of rhythm to their advantage. Every time Charlotte threatened, though, Miami responded. Miamis Norris Cole scored eight points in the final quarter, including 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, and finished with 15 points. "We need those guys off the bench to come in and either get the momentum or pick us up when were not going," James said. "You could bring in five guys off the bench and sit the whole starting lineup if you need to because we have that type of talent. Its definitely a luxury." Christ Bosh scored seven points, while the final member of the Heats big three, Dwyane Wade, sat out after playing Thursday night against Detroit. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra wanted to keep Wade, whos recovering from a knee injury, from playing on consecutive nights. "We just want to make sure that were continuing to take steps forward," Spoelstra said. "Its been a very good training camp for him so far. Those are our discussions between Dwyane, myself and the training staff." Peter Forsberg Jersey .com) - The Minnesota Twins made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of outfielder Torii Hunter to a one-year contract. Patrick Roy Jersey . No pretty goals on this night, just get to the front of the net and fight for a chance. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic...alanche-jersey/. -- Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday for the first time in his seven-year career because of a swollen muscle in his left upper back. Lanny McDonald Jersey .com) - The Los Angeles Kings werent playing their best hockey before the league went on break during the Winter Olympics. Teemu Selanne Jersey . And he said Sunday that players believe nobody in Sterlings family should be able to own the Los Angeles Clippers if hes gone. Finally, in his last at bat -- and with the game long decided -- Arenado laced a double that landed squarely on the white left-field line. Thats the way its been going lately for one of the Colorado Rockies hottest hitters. Arenado ran his hitting streak to 26 games and Carlos Gonzalez had five of Colorados season-high 21 hits as the Rockies routed the Texas Rangers 12-1 on Tuesday night. "Just nice to get that," Arenado said of his RBI double in the seventh. His streak is one away from tying the team record of 27 set by Michael Cuddyer last season. Its also the longest for anyone 23 years or younger since Albert Pujols hit in 30 straight games in 2003. "It was a little dramatic, but he finally did it," Gonzalez said. "It was a great night for him -- a very important night for him." For Gonzalez, too. Hes been struggling all season with finger and knee ailments that have hampered his swing. And yet the Rockies still lead the majors in most offensive categories. "Just imagine when Cargo starts swinging it the way he should," Arenado said. The first four hitters in Colorados lineup -- Charlie Blackmon, Drew Stubbs, Troy Tulowitzki and Gonzalez -- went a combined 13-for-20 with two homers and seven RBIs to help the Rockies take two games from Texas at Coors Field. Colorado now travels to Arlington, Texas, for two more in a home-and-home situation. Blackmon led off with a homer. Stubbs added another in the seventh. "We got guys up and down the order and on the bench that can really swing it," Arenado said. Juan Nicasio (4-1) got through five innings without his best command, giving up two hits and one run. He also walked a season-high five. Robbie Ross Jr. (1-3) had a rough outing as he allowed six runs and 12 hits in 5 1-3 innings. The Rangers most effective pitcher on this night was actually an outfielder. Given the lopsided score, and to save his bullpen, manager Ron Washington sent Mitch Moreland to the mound for the eighth. He set the Rockies down in order as he became only the sixth position player to pitch in Rangers history. Its the first time hes pitched since 2008 and that was in a minor league game. Morelandd was hitting around 94 mph, too.dddddddddddd "I tried to let a couple go, especially early in the count, just to have some fun," Moreland said. "Its tough in a game like that to have some fun, but its always been a dream of mine." Leading 4-1, the Rockies broke open the game with a six-run sixth in which they sent 12 batters to the plate. Pinch hitter Brandon Barnes even got up twice, hitting singles both times. "They put the ball in play and found holes. There was nothing we could do about it," Washington said. Arenados glove set the stage for the run eruption. He robbed Adrian Beltre of two hits and, along with it, potentially big innings for the Rangers. He felt a little bad, too. "Beltres my favourite player," Arenado said. "Hes one of the last players Id want to rob." In the third, Arenado, the reigning Gold Glove winner at the hot corner, gobbled up a hot grounder from Beltre and threw him out at first. Beltre playfully looked at Arenado and raised hands as if to say, "Did that just happen?" Arenado has been stealing hits all season. So much so that before the game Washington said of Arenado: "That kid over there is a highlight reel." In the fifth, Arenado got Beltre again as he snared a two-out slow roller with his bare hand and made a strong throw that barely beat Beltre. "Ive got to do what Ive got to do," Arenado said. Nicasio struggled to find the strike zone, with catcher Jordan Pacheco and pitching coach Jim Wright making frequent visits to settle him down. It worked as Nicasio improved to 3-0 at home this season. Ross nearly had his first major league hit as he beat out a grounder to second. But Rockies manager Walt Weiss challenged the play and it was reversed upon review. "I think hell get another one," Weiss said, laughing. "I think he will." NOTES: Beltre hit his first homer of the season, a solo shot in the first. ... RHP Colby Lewis (2-1) will pitch Wednesday as the Rangers return from a five-game road swing. The Rockies counter with LHP Jorge De La Rosa (3-3). ... Tulowitzki is hitting .608 with six homers and 22 RBIs at home this season. ' ' '