SURREY, B.C. -- The BC Lions expect to regain key linebacker Solomon Elimimian and veteran kicker Paul McCallum for Thursday nights home opener against the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts. The Lions (0-1) started poorly against the Stampeders in their opening round clash in Calgary on Friday, and although they managed to outscore the hosts in the second half, they still lost 44-32. It was a frustrating game for Elimimian (ankle) to watch, and he admitted after Mondays practice that one point he "was about to throw a couple of chairs." "It was definitely tough," he said, before adding he was "expecting" to play in that game. "But that was last week and we have 17 more regular-season games to go." And that starts with a home date with the Argonauts (1-0), who fought back to overcome Hamilton 39-34 last week on the back of solid contributions from running back Chad Kackert (10 rushes for 112 yards and a touchdown) and wide receiver/kick returner Chad Owens. Elimimian is looking forward to the challenge of stopping that pair, along with QB Ricky Ray, who went 24-34 for 368 yards and four touchdowns against the Ti-Cats. "They have a great offence and a great offensive game," the 26-year-old said. "I just think the big thing for us is just doing what we do, and thats run to the ball and be physical and if we do that well be fine." Lions head coach Mike Benevides was looking forward to having Elimimian back at his disposal on defence as his team looks to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole. "The biggest thing that Solly brings to us is obviously that downhill mentality to defend the run," he said. "It gives us a little bit of synergy that we had in training camp and it just gives us another run stopper thats comfortable with `Biggie (LB Adam Bighill)." Besides Elimimian, the Lions should also be boosted by the return of 43-year-old McCallum, after Benevides watched his punter go through the motions Monday. "Paul did all the place kicking, he felt good, he did some punting and really showed some power," Benevides said. "So its gonna be on him because hes a pro and hes been around a long time. But I really liked what I saw from his place kicking. "He tells me he feels good, so Im gonna make sure that he is entirely confident that hes not feeling (the groin injury) anymore and well take a hard look at him." The news wasnt as promising for Lions star centre Angus Reid (lower back), with Benevides saying he will still be evaluated on a weekly basis. "Obviously, hes getting better all the time," the coach said of the 36-year-old. "The thing with him is its gonna be a week-to-week thing and for him its about loading it, meaning hes in the weight room doing squats, hes practising and then the true tell-tale will be how sore he is the next day or two days after." With the 13-year pro still sidelined, snapping duties will once again fall to second-year player Matt Norman, who is being groomed as Reids eventual replacement on the offensive line. The 25-year-old former guard struggled with the count in the loss to Calgary but said he had already put it behind him. "Ive looked at film, made some corrections and now Im focusing on Toronto," he said. Norman doesnt see Torontos visit as a tool for motivation, adding he maintains "the same level of intensity each week". "I dont go up or down depending on who were playing," he said. "I keep the same level of motivation and confidence for each game, to me its just another game." Despite his issues at centre, Norman had the full support of Lions QB Travis Lulay and Benevides as he makes the difficult transition. "Those types of things happen, they do happen, and Matt doesnt like it when they happen and its tough," said Lulay, who completed 21 of 36 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown against the Stampeders. "But its part of the process, you have to make mistakes to find out what you need to be better at so thats something hes obviously very conscious of. But Matts a pro, hell get those things ironed out and well get better there." Benevides said Normans errors were more glaring than others because of his job hiking the ball to Lulay on each possession. "You just have to grow with that a little bit, (but) when you look at the totality of the game, he played fine," he said. "Week to week hes gonna get better and you have to also give him a chance to go through some of these learning curves." NOTES: DE Julius Williams could make his first appearance in a Lions jersey on Thursday. Said Benevides: "He got some work on the weekend and were gonna take a hard look at that because if Julius can get in hell help us and that will give us a different type of rotation and a different type of player on the edge."aThe Lions added import LB Yaser Elqutub to their practice roster Monday. Miami Marlins Shirts . PETERSBURG, Fla. Miami Marlins Gear . -- Crystal Webster avoided elimination at the 2013 Capital One Road to the Roar Olympic pre-trial curling tournament with an 8-5 win over Amber Holland on Thursday. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/. Both sides came closest to scoring in the first half, when Roma had a goal from Mattia Destro waved off for offside and Inters Rodrigo Palacio headed high. "A draw was a fair result. Neither squad had many chances," Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic said. Fake Marlins Jerseys . - The width of Alec Martinezs shin guard was the difference between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks in their playoff series opener. Custom Miami Marlins Jerseys . It was a move of some time in the making. “He hasnt thrown well, clearly some guys are being used more than him right now and the only way to get out of this funk is to pitch,” said general manager Alex Anthopoulos.The Chicago Bulls begin another playoff run without Derrick Rose on Sunday night when they welcome the Washington Wizards to the United Center. Catch the game as the first half of a doubleheader on TSN2 starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. Chicago is in the postseason for a sixth straight year and for the second time without Rose because of lingering knee issues. The Bulls got by without Rose in the first round last season, using a full seven-game series to dispose of the Brooklyn Nets, but the eventual two-time NBA champion Miami Heat bounced the Bulls in five games in the East semifinals. Now the Bulls are taking on a young and inexperienced Wizards team that won two of three meetings against them in the regular season. The Wizards have to play the first two games in the Windy City, where they are just 5-15 in the last 20 games. "The Wizards are a tough team, tough, tough team," said Chicago sixth man Taj Gibson. "They gave us so many problems in the regular season; great shooters. They got some great bigs in Nene and (Marcin) Gortat. John Wall is playing some phenomenal basketball. Bradley Beal is playing great basketball, too. Their bench is loaded up. Its going to be tough." When Rose went down early this season, the Bulls became Joakim Noahs team, although defense is still their calling card. Chicago finished tops in the NBA in opponents scoring (93.7 ppg) and second in opponents shooting percentage (43.2). The Bulls have ranked no lower than third in opponents scoring in head coach Tom Thibodeaus four seasons at the helm. Noah is headed toward a possible Defensive Player of the Year award, but his offensive game is what carried the Bulls. He averaged 12.6 points and led the Bulls with 11.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Noah played an integral part for Chicagos top defense, but also averaged a career-high 5.4 assists. Chicago won an Eastern Conference-best 36 games since Jan. 1 and won seven in a row before closing out the season with two losses in three tries. Washington is wet behind the ears when it comes to recent postseason appearances. It has returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08, when it lost in six games to a young LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Wizards are facing the Bulls for the third time in the postseason, as they were swept 3-0 back in the first round of the 1997 playoffs and won a best-of- seven series 4-2 in 2005. "I feel like we like our chances against anybody if we play the right way," said Wall, who averaged 20.7 points, 8.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in three games versus the Bulls this season. "We just have to go out there and play the way we know how to play, and play the defense were capable of playing. Were here and were focused and will try to leave a statement and see where it takes us." The Wizards received a big boost with the return of veteran big man, Nene. He missed a ton of time in the middle of the season, but came back for four games at the end. He averaged 14.3 points and should come in handy against the bruising frontline of Chicago. Washington toook advantage of a weaker Eastern Conference to reach the playoffs and went 19-11 after the break.dddddddddddd The Wizards closed the regular season with four straight wins and eight in the last 11 games. Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets Two of the leagues best offensive units take center stage Sunday night when the Houston Rockets host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Toyota Center. Catch the game as the tail end of a doubleheader on TSN2 starting at 9:30pm et/6:30pm pt. The Rockets are the NBAs second-ranked offense at 107.7 ppg, followed by the Trail Blazers, who are fourth with 106.9 ppg. Houston secured the home-court advantage with a win on Monday against the NBAs best, the San Antonio Spurs. "We fought hard for it. It took a little longer than I hoped but we knew we had to get 54 wins and we got there with one to spare," said Rockets coach Kevin McHale. The matchup between the two squads has been decidedly in Houstons favor over the last few seasons. The Rockets have won nine of the last 12 meetings, including three of four this season. "Its the West. We dont care who were going to play, its going to be tough anyway," said Portland forward Nicolas Batum. "Houston is a good team, a great team. Theyve got a good group of players. We match up pretty well with them. Weve had good games, tough games." The Rockets were believed to be a serious contender for an NBA title when they signed prized free agent Dwight Howard in the offseason. Along with All-Star guard James Harden, they form a formidable one-two punch. Portland, on the other hand, was a bit of a surprise this season. The Blazers hadnt made the playoffs the last two seasons, but the core group stayed healthy and the bench improved significantly. These two teams met in the first round back in 2009, but oh how different they both are just five years later. Houston has no players on the roster from that team, which was led by Yao Ming, while only LaMarcus Aldridge and Batum remain for the Blazers. "It wont be easy. It is going to be fun," said Batum. "Excited finally for playoffs to start because we wait too much for that, now almost three years, so ready to start." The Rockets got healthy at the right time. Howard missed significant time late in the season with an ankle injury and starting point guard Patrick Beverley was shelved with a knee problem. Both came back before the end of the season and should be all-clear for the playoffs. Portland is healthy. This matchup is so even, down to the matching 54-28 records. Each team had two All-Stars in Howard and Harden for Houston and Aldridge and Damian Lillard for Portland. As expected due to both teams high offensive output, defense has suffered. The Blazers ranked 22nd in opponents scoring, while the Rockets were one rung below. "Its going to be a great series," said Harden. "There are so many guys that can score for them and for us. Its going to be a matter of the small things: who can limit their turnovers and rebound the basketball." ' ' '