received last week when he slammed into the goal post while scoring at Getafe,

MIAMI - Chris Bosh was often referred to as the most important player for the Miami Heat over the last four seasons, something that probably not many people understood.It needs no explaining now.With LeBron James gone to Cleveland and Dwyane Wade — while arguably still the key to how far Miami goes — no longer the elite scorer he once was, the Heat are asking Bosh for more than ever. So far, hes delivering, with 77 points in Miamis first three games and flourishing again in the go-to-option role that he had for his seven seasons in Toronto.I feel like I am a much better player and a much better leader, said Bosh, announced Monday as the NBAs Eastern Conference player of the week. I try to really lead by example and lead by my voice every day.His voice, thats one thing.His productivity, thats another.And hes delivering on both fronts. He has scored at least 21 points in all three game, and the Heat were the only team in the Eastern Conference to go unbeaten in the opening week.He is playing at a very high level right now, Toronto coach Dwane Casey said.Wade isnt surprised.His pie chart is off the chain with how he can score the ball, where hes getting the ball, how were looking for him, Wade said. Hes going to be able to put up those numbers. Hes rebounding great. He looks good. Credit to him for getting himself ready.___Heres some of what to watch in the NBA this week:LEBRON VS. VINCEClevelands LeBron James moved into 25th on the NBAs career scoring list last week, overtaking Memphis Vince Carter (who could pass him back Monday night, but its almost certainly a matter of time before James pulls away). James has 23,223 points; Carter has 23,206. At his usual pace, James would be in the top 20 by seasons end. On the combined NBA-ABA list, James is 30th and Carter 31st.KOBE WATCHIts 49 and counting for Kobe Bryant. Hes 49 missed shots away from passing John Havlicek for the most unsuccessful field-goal attempts in NBA regular-season history. He missed 50 of his 85 shots in the Los Angeles Lakers first four games this season — all losses. Also notable: Since the NBA started tracking plus-minus in 2002, the Lakers have been outscored by more than 25 points with Bryant on the floor only eight times. Two of those were last week. The Lakers are home against Phoenix on Tuesday night and Charlotte on Sunday night.PLAYOFF REMATCHESWednesday night brings a pair of rematches from last seasons epic opening playoff round. Miami visits Charlotte, which means Josh McRoberts goes back to the city he called home until this summer and Lance Stephenson squares off against the Heat again. Afterward, the Los Angeles Clippers play at Golden State; those clubs met 11 times last season with the Clippers going 6-5, winning by an average score of 110-107. The Warriors Klay Thompson is the reigning Western Conference player of the week.BIG APPLE SERIESThe Knicks visit the Nets on Friday night, and maybe fans in New York will finally get treated to a game that isnt decided in the third quarter. The Knicks went 3-1 against their city rivals last season, winning by 30, 29 and 11 points. Brooklyns lone win also was an easy one, a 23-point rout.PHILLY WOESThe 76ers started 3-0 last season. Theyre 0-3 this season and have Houston, Toronto and Chicago on this weeks slate — along with Orlando, which is one of the three other teams still searching for their first win.STAT LINE OF THE WEEKDeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento: He had 34 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in the Kings 98-92 victory at the Clippers on Sunday. Such a stat line occurred only once last season, when Dwight Howard had 35 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and three blocks for Houston against Detroit.___Follow Tim Reynolds on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ByTimReynolds Vancouver Canucks Jerseys . 5 Trade Deadline isnt that far away and teams will be making decisions on whether to buy, sell and decide which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Custom Vancouver Canucks Jerseys . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. http://www.officialcanuckspro.com/Pavel-bure-canucks-jersey/ . The same cant be said of last Saturdays 2-2 draw at Olympic Stadium against a very weakened New York Red Bulls side and one which had three stalwarts in Henry, Cahill and Olave back home in Harrison, NJ. Trevor Linden Jersey . Spieth again showed game well beyond his 20 years with a 9-under 63 on the North Course, giving him a one-shot lead over Stewart Cink going into the weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open. Alexander Mogilny Jersey . The Mariners ace allowed just one hit over eight innings while striking out nine, and Robinson Cano backed him with a two-run homer as Seattle earned a 3-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Philadelphia Flyers winning streak survived a meeting with the defending Stanley Cup champions, but a fourth consecutive win could be hard to come by. The Tampa Bay Lightning hope to continue its dominance of Philadelphia when the clubs battle Thursday at Amalie Arena. The Flyers earned a controversial 2-1 victory Tuesday against the visiting Los Angeles Kings, picking up a third straight win and their fourth in five games since going winless in the first four tests of 2014-15. Philly will have to solve the Lightning to keep the win streak going, however, as Tampa Bay enters tonights tilt having won 11 of the last 14 encounters in this series. The Bolts have beaten the Flyers four straight times overall and have claimed the last six meetings in Central Florida. Philadelphias last victory in Tampa came in a shootout win on Feb. 15, 2011. Former L.A. forward Brayden Schenn scored the game-winning goal against the Kings with 2:24 remaining in overtime, but the tally only counted after a video review. Schenn skated in all alone from the hosts side of center ice in the neutral zone and shot low, but while Kings netminder Jonathan Quick smothered the shot with his pads, the puck was loose for a second. Schenn made a hard stop in the crease and the force of covering the rebound pushed Quick into the net with the puck presumably over the goal line. The original call did not indicate a goal, but upon a conference of all four officials plus a brief review, the on-ice decision was overruled, giving the hosts their third straight victory. Yeah, its always nice scoring goals and I guess it makes it a little extra special against LA, said Schenn, who arrived in Phillly as part of a June, 2011 deal.ddddddddddddDidnt spend a whole lot of time there but it was a big win for our team and weve got to keep this going. We havent had an easy schedule for the beginning of the year so its another big two points for us. Michael Raffl and Chris VandeVelde also lit the lamp while Jakub Voracek added a pair of assists for the Flyers, who received 38 saves from Ray Emery. Voracek has 13 points on the season, tying him with Tyler Toffoli of the Los Angeles Kings for third in the league rankings, Emery has been in net for all three wins during the Flyers current streak and he has won four straight decisions overall. He expects to get the call over Steve Mason again tonight. Flyers forward Vincent Lecavalier is getting close to returning from a bruised left foot, but the former Lightning captain isnt expected to play against his former team. Tampa Bay has won three of its last four tilts and the Lightning kicked off a four-game homestand Tuesday with a 7-3 rout of the Arizona Coyotes. Nikita Kucherov recorded his first career hat trick to fuel the blowout victory. Brian Boyle added two goals for the Lightning, and Valtteri Filppula and Matthew Carle also lit the lamp. Ben Bishop stopped 22-of-25 shots to record the win. It was a good start for us and we were rewarded, said Boyle. There were some plays that guys made that were pretty impressive, big-time plays from some players. Thats always nice when we finish. The victory pushed Tampas home record this season to 3-1-1. The Flyers are 2-2-0 as the guest. Bishop will get the start for the Bolts. He lost his only career outing against Philadelphia while playing for Ottawa on March 2, 2013. ' ' '