OAKLAND, Calif. -- As much as Kevin Durant might try to downplay the drama, when he steps on the court against his former Oklahoma City team for the first time Thursday night emotions will be flying high for both sides.And theres more: Durants new Golden State team rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals just more than five months ago.I wouldnt say weird. Ill just be locked in to follow the game plan, and just playing, Durant said. But once you step on the court and see the different jersey Im sure it will hit me.Durant vs. old buddy Russell Westbrook, who opted to stay put and sign an extension. Oh yes, this game has been circled on many an NBA schedule for months. At least since Durant departed as a free agent to join the Warriors in July.New teammate and fellow Olympian Draymond Green knows Durant will be extra motivated for this matchup.I think it will be a lot of emotions. Theyre going to want to beat him really bad, hes going to want to beat them really bad, Green said. In turn, were going to want to beat them really bad because we want him to beat them really bad. So I think it will be a fun game to play in. Its always a high intensity game against them and I expect nothing less.Yes, this could be a tense reunion when the tip goes up. Westbrook went into Wednesday nights game against the Clippers in Los Angeles leading the league in scoring averaging 38.7 points, while Durant was sixth at 28.5.Golden State had Wednesday off from practice following a 127-104 win Tuesday night at Portland.Im going to enjoy myself and get away from basketball, Durant said. At shootaround well think about going over the game plan and stuff and how were going to try to win the game.Durant has scored 20 or more points in 68 straight regular-season games for the longest such streak since Michael Jordan did so in 69 consecutive outings in 1990-91.Coach Steve Kerr has insisted all along his team will need time to come together and really click. Durant has made strides learning the system each day, leading the Warriors in scoring slightly ahead of two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry.KD is meshing with us beautifully. He fits right into what we want to do. Hes a playmaker. Hes perfect for what we already do, Kerr said.Im sure hes going to be excited. Every player is excited when he plays against his former team. I used to get excited all the time because I played on so many teams. Its a little different for Kevin because hes a superstar and the spotlight is on him, everybodys going to be asking him questions, the TV cameras will be on him and Russ. Im sure it will be nice for both players to get this one behind them so they can go on with their season.For Golden State, winning at Oracle Arena would mean a lot regardless of the opponent. The Warriors took a 29-point beating at the hands of San Antonio in their season opener Oct. 25 -- prompting fans to flood the exits with more than five minutes remaining in the rare blowout loss by the home team -- but have a three-game winning streak since.Ive played Oklahoma City plenty of times so I know what its like. He doesnt, Curry said of Durant. We havent won at home in a while, so thats all Im really worried about. Just getting a home win.---AP Sports Writer Anne M. Peterson in Portland, Oregon, contributed to this report.Manny Ramirez Indians Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Bradley Zimmer Jersey . 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"Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson.CHICAGO -- The St. Louis Cardinals are further down than usual in the NL Central standings. Still, they may see the major league-leading Chicago Cubs in October, and theyre coming out of a four-game series at Wrigley Field with some extra confidence.Stephen Piscotty hit a three-run homer, Brandon Moss followed with a solo shot one out later and the Cardinals used a five-run eighth inning to beat the Cubs 6-4 on Sunday night.Piscotty hit his 17th homer off setup man Hector Rondon (2-3), who entered with a 3-1 lead in his first appearance since Aug. 2 because of a triceps injury. After pinch-hitter Kolten Wong and Greg Garcia singled, Piscotty lofted a shot to deep left-center field that put the Cardinals ahead 4-3 in front of 41,019 silenced fans.Moss added his 21st homer, then Randal Grichuk doubled in a run off Travis Wood.Any time youre playing a good team like that late in the game, its just more dramatic, Piscotty said. A great way to bounce back.We kind of know what our role is going forward, he added. Were fighting for that wild-card spot. Hopefully, this gives us some momentum.The Cardinals split a four-game series with Chicago, which dropped its second straight following an 11-game winning streak. St. Louis trails Chicago by 12 games in the division but also has a half-game lead on Miami for the second wild-card spot, keeping the Cards in line for a sixth straight playoff appearance.Weve been down quite a few times early, and guys just keep playing the game and thats something Im extremely proud about this club, manager Mike Matheny said.Cubs starter John Lackey allowed only one unearned run and four hits before leaving with two outs in the seventh with muscle stiffness. Chicago doesnt consider the injury serious.Believe me, Ive been through a lot worse, the 37-year-old Lackey said. I dont know, maybe an (its an) old thing.Rondon said he felt really good. He just didnt have his normal command.I know I missed the location and they got me, he said.Anthony Rizzo went 3 for 4 with a solo homer and three RBI, and Ben Zobrist knocked in a run with a sac fly.Lackey was sailing along and struck out five in his fourth straight solid start. But the right-hander grimaced in pain after throwing a pitch to Grichuk, walked off the field and was replaced by Justin Grimm. The reliever then struck out Grichuk.Were in a fortunate situation with the kind of (division) lead we have, Lackey said. We kind of have the leeway to do some things. Were just checking games off the schedule.Matt Bowman (2-4) got three outs in the seventh -- and got out of a bases-load jam -- in relief of Mike Leake for the win.dddddddddddd Leake allowed three runs on six hits in six innings and retired 16 in a row over one stretch despite entering with a 9.00 ERA in his previous four starts.Cardinals closer Seung Hwan Oh got the final five outs, including three strikeouts in the ninth, for his 11th save in 12 chances.Leake settled into a pitchers duel with Lackey with a little help from his defense.St. Louis third baseman Jhonny Peralta made a diving stop, rolled and threw to first in one motion on Addison Russells sharp grounder in the fourth.Kris Bryant ended Leakes run with a triple to right-center with one out in the sixth. He scored on Rizzos second RBI single to make it 3-1.After the Cardinals took a 6-3 lead in the eighth, Rizzo hit his 25th homer in the bottom half.LETS PLAY TWOCubs manager Joe Maddon says hed have no problem with MLB shortening the season by adding more doubleheaders, but not drawn-out day-night twinbills. Maddon would be for second games starting 30 minutes after the end of the first, and for teams adding two players to their rosters.I think the fans would dig it, too, said Maddon, while noting he understands the economics of day-night doubleheaders with separate admissions. If you have to put a premium on the price tag, I dont know.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: OF Matt Holliday (broken right thumb) is expected to be re-examined by the teams hand specialist on Monday. ... St. Louis LHP Kevin Siegrist left after striking out Zobrist in the eight with an apparent injury and was replaced by Oh. Kevins had a lot of work and that was precautionary more than anything else, Matheny said.Cubs: Rondon said before the game he was 100 percent ready, but allowed four runs in 1/3 of an inning.UP NEXTCardinals: Following a day off Monday, LHP Jaime Garcia (9-8, 3.93) opens a two-game set in Houston against LHP Dallas Keuchel (7-11, 4.56). St. Louis also has Thursday off, but manager Mike Matheny plans no changes to his strained rotation.Cubs: Chicago also has Monday off, then hosts Milwaukee in a day-night doubleheader Tuesday. RHP Trevor Cahill (1-3, 3.07) is expected to come off the DL (right knee tendinitis) and start in the opener against Brewers RHP Matt Garza (4-4, 4.83). Chicagos Jason Hammel (12-5, 2.90) is 5-0 with a 1.16 ERA since the All-Star break and will take the mound in the nightcap against RHP Chase Anderson (7-10, 4.93). ' ' '