MIAMI -- LeBron James looked groggy, battled the sniffles as he spoke and wore a large bandage Saturday over the bridge of his swollen, broken nose. None of which stopped James Miami Heat teammates from ribbing him about the injury, which could keep him out of Sundays game against Chicago. "Funny guys on this team, Ill tell you," James said, managing a chuckle. "We got a couple of big-nose jokes in there," teammate Chris Bosh said. James sat out practice Saturday, although he shot some baskets and free throws on the side. He said he wouldnt have played if there had been a game, but added he has felt better each day since breaking his nose during Thursdays victory at Oklahoma City. He hopes to improve enough to play against the Bulls, and his availability will be a game-time decision. When asked how his nose felt, James said, "It has been better. Its a little bit of everything -- pain, headaches, whatever. I have to get past it and hopefully get better in the next day. Im definitely not going to rush it." James was to be fitted for a protective mask and will likely wear it if he plays against the Bulls. "Its nothing you want to make long-term," James said. "Its very uncomfortable." James knows from experience. He wore a mask for a few weeks 10 years ago, after he broke his cheekbone hours before his 20th birthday in a game for Cleveland against Houston. James said he doesnt recall missing significant playing time then. "That was a 19-year-old recovering, compared with a 29-year-old recovering," he said with a laugh. "It takes a little bit longer than when I was 19." James was hurt in the fourth quarter of Thursdays game when he was struck inadvertently by defender Serge Ibaka on a drive to the basket. He missed the final six minutes, but even with his nose still bleeding afterward, he took teasing for how he looked. Coach Erik Spoelstra said a doctor fixed James nose Friday to "make it look prettier." "You cant be sensitive in this locker room," Bosh said. "Hes still a good-looking guy. Hes still married. I dont think his wife is going anywhere." James sat out one game earlier this season with a groin injury, and the Heat won at Portland despite the absence of their leading scorer. "We want to continue with the theme of no excuses, even without him," Spoelstra said. "Guys are willing, ready and able to step up. We have guys who are clawing to get some playing time." Any absence is unusual for James, who has never missed more than seven games in a season during his 11-year career. "Hes Iron Man," Bosh said. "But sometimes when you have a broken nose, you have to rest a little bit. Hell have to rub some dirt on it and come back healthy." After facing Chicago, the Heat are off until Thursday, when they play host to the New York Knicks. Sundays home game will the first in 20 days for the Heat, who went 5-1 on a trip that spanned the All-Star break. Miami trails Eastern Conference leader Indiana by 1 1/2 games. "Were not really concerned about that," Dwyane Wade said. "This team just wants to continue to play well. Everything else will take care of itself." Charles Oakley Jersey .com) - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were among the third-round winners Friday at the French Open. New York Knicks Gear . "After consultation with the Team USA medical staff and officials, it was determined that he should return to Winnipeg as a precaution due to his previous injury history," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said Wednesday in a statement. https://www.cheapknicks.com/1321x-rj-barrett-jersey-knicks.html. It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Marcus Morris Jersey .NYCFC confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that this week Lampard signed a contract to start in July — midway through the new teams first season in MLS. Willis Reed Jersey After both picked up a much-needed victory to begin the week, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames look to come out of the holiday break with a second straight victory on Friday night in the third installment this season of the Battle for Alberta. The Oilers were in the midst of a season-high six-game slide before knocking off the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 on Monday. Taylor Hall had a goal and two assists as Edmonton put the game away with a three-goal third period. Hall set up David Perrons goal with 3:20 to go in the second period that snapped a 2-2 tie and joined Jeff Petry and Nail Yakupov as the third-period goal scorers. Jordan Eberle and Sam Gagner also lit the lamp. The Oilers had scored just six goals and been shut out three times over their losing streak. "We stuck with it and were finally rewarded for our hard work," Edmonton head coach Dallas Eakins said of his teams perseverance. "We had a good start and we were able to maintain it." Ilya Bryzgalov made 18 saves in Edmontons first win since Dec. 10. The Oilers have not won two in a row since a three-game run from Nov. 16-21. The Flames brought an 0-2-2 winless stretch to a close on Monday with a 4-3 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues, getting a game-tying goal from defenseman Mark Giordano with 5.1 seconds left in regulation. After St. Louis Patrik Berglund was called for roughinng, Calgary pulled goaltender Reto Berra and Giordano ripped home a one-time feed from Jiri Hudler.dddddddddddd. "We felt like the last three or four games weve been playing really well, but we havent been getting the results," Giordano said. "Against one of the best teams in the league to come back and win in that way, it leaves a good feeling. Its going to be a nice Christmas break for sure." Hudler and Mike Cammalleri had a goal and an assist each, while Berra ended with 32 saves. Calgary center Matt Stajan did limp into the dressing room in overtime after getting hit and his status for tonights second contest of a five-game homestand is unknown. These two rivals have split two meetings this season, with the Oilers notching a 4-2 victory in Calgary on Nov. 16 before the Flames responded with a 2-1 overtime decision in Edmonton on Dec. 7. Calgary has won 12 of the previous 17 meetings overall and 11 of the last 14 at home. Berra was in net for the first two meetings this season, posting a 1.97 goals against average. Bryzgalov is 10-7-1 with a 2.69 GAA in 18 career meetings with the Flames, while Devan Dubnyk is 5-4-2 with a 2.46 GAA versus them. He started the previous two encounters. It is unknown which goaltender will start tonight as Edmonton is also set to host Bryzgalovs former Philadelphia Flyers club on Saturday. ' ' '