SAN ANTONIO -- In the first NBA Finals game of his reign as the leagues commissioner, Adam Silver had to deal with a sweltering

SAN ANTONIO -- In the first NBA Finals game of his reign as the leagues commissioner, Adam Silver had to deal with a sweltering arena. Josh Oliver Jersey . Compared to what hes gone through in recent weeks, that seemed like a breeze. Speaking to The Associated Press on Friday at an NBA Cares event, Silver said hes thrilled that the leagues attention can be on the championship series between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs -- and not, as it was for so much of the post-season, on the off-the-court matters involving the banishment of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and now the looming sale of that franchise. "No question," Silver said. "In fairness to all the players and the teams, they worked so hard to get to this moment and a hot building is part of the competition in essence. And all those other things that weve been talking about the last several weeks are not." Posing for photos with Spurs players, coach Gregg Popovich, general manger R.C. Buford and others, Silver was all smiles when the ceremonial red ribbon was cut at the leagues latest "Learn & Play Center" at a San Antonio elementary school. Its the 897th time that the league has been involved with opening a facility like that, and another similar event will be held in Miami when the series shifts there next week. Silver made no prediction, other than saying he thinks the Heat-Spurs matchup could be a long series. He also said he was satisfied that the air conditioning issues that overshadowed Game 1 have been cleared up and will not affect play when the series resumes in San Antonio on Sunday night. "We learn something new all the time," Silver said. "The league checklist continues to get longer, the things that we need to ensure are functioning properly before games." The Sterling matter was Silvers first true test since taking over for David Stern as commissioner, and many players raved about his response, both in terms of message and swiftness. Silver barred Sterling for life after the longtime owner acknowledged making racist comments on tape, plus fined him $2.5 million. Now, the Sterling matter looks to be essentially over. The Clippers are poised to be sold to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion, and Sterlings attorney said earlier this week that issues between Sterling and the NBA will be resolved without need for a lawsuit -- a decision that basically clears the biggest hurdle that would have precluded a sale. "Im pleased and proud that the attention is on the greatest basketball in the world," Silver said. Gardner Minshew II Womens Jersey . - All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked spry enough in pregame warmups Sunday for Green Bays divisional playoff game against Dallas. Jawaan Taylor Jersey . THE MICHAEL JORDAN FLU GAME First this famous basketball moment. The story goes like this. “Game 5, known as "The Flu Game", was one of Michael Jordans most memorable. http://www.officialjacksonvillejaguarspro.com/Gardner-minshew-ii-jaguars-jersey/ . The Thunder earned the Game 1 win with a 100-86 victory Saturday night. Oklahoma City dominated the first half and led by 22 at the break, but saw its lead shrink to just two points in the fourth quarter.Quique Sanchez Flores future at Vicarage Road hangs in the balance despite guiding Watford away from danger and into 12th position in the league. The club owners issued the dreaded vote of confidence in midweek and even a strong finish to the season might not be enough to keep his job.Aston Villa have one last chance to stop their run of defeats matching the club record of 11 set in 1963, but they head into the game having lost 25 games already this season. The atmosphere at Villa Park last week was toxic, but the players are going to need as much help as they can get to avoid this unwanted record. Flores feeling unappreciated Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores feels unappreciated by owners Team newsOdion Ighalo is expected to play despite the death of his father last weekend.Ighalos father died shortly after Sundays FA Cup semi-final defeat against Crystal Palace, but the striker trained this week and is available.Etienne Capoue will miss the game at Vicarage Road with a knee injury he sustained at Wembley and is likely to sit out the remainder of the season.Gabby Agbonlahors club suspension has been lifted after he quit as Aston Villas club captain following an investigation, but he will not travel to Watford. Villa fans made their feelings known about the clubs current situation The striker will be available for selection from Monday, after he was banned as pictures apparently showed him partying in the aftermath of Villas relegation.Jores Okore will not be considered after saying he was not in the right frame of mind to be on the bench against Bournemouth earlier this month.Libor Kozak (ankle) is out while Jordan Amavi remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury and Micah Richards is a doubt, also with a knee injury, while Kieran Richardson is unavailable with a calf problem.Opta stats Could Quique Sanchez Flores could leave Watford this summer? Watford will be looking to secure two league wins in a single season against Aston Villa for the first time since 1969-70.The Hornets have lost just one of their previous eight league meetings against Aston Villa at Vicarage Road (won four, drawn three); this coming in August 1999.After Odion Ighalo (14) and Troy Deeney (nine), own goals is Watfords third top goalscorer in the Premier League this season (three). One of those was Alan Huttons in the reverse fixture.Ighalo has averaged a goal every 1,200 mins in the Premier League since New Year, compared to a goal every 122 mins before January 1. Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney has formed an impressive partnership at Watford Heurelho Gomes (11 clean sheets) needs one more clean sheet this season in the Premier League to equal his best ever tally in the English top-flight (12 for Spurs in both 2008-09 and 2009-10).Watford have won 13 points from their last 17 Premier League matches (won three, drawn four), compared to a tally of 28 in their first 17 PL games of 2015-16 (won eight, drawn four).Troy Deeney has been involved in a league-high 408 aerial duels this season, also winning the most (210).Aston Villa have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five league games against Watford, but shipped three goals in their Premier League meeting earlier this season at Villa Park. Josh Oliver Jaguars Jersey. Agbonlahor had a message for the Villa fans after stepping down as club captain Aston Villa have lost 10 successive league matches - their longest sequence of league defeats since May 1963 (11 in a row). Villa fans made their feelings known about the clubs current situation Villa have lost 25 Premier League games this season - the record tally of defeats in a single Premier League season is 29; set by Derby in 2007-08, Sunderland in 2005-06 and Ipswich in 1994-95.Mersons predictionWatford are gone. They put all their eggs in one basket and lost in the FA Cup semi-final. People will think Im going mad because Villa are absolutely shocking, but I dont think there are a million miles between these two teams, just one has two good strikers and the other team doesnt. Agbonlahor had a message for the Villa fans after stepping down as club captain But how many games have Watford won in the last 10? The semi-final result was a kick in the teeth for them, but I think Villa still have to score first. If Watford do theyll run away with it.Paul predicts: Watford 1-1 Aston Villa - Jordan Ayew to score firstBetting Jamie Redknapp gives his thoughts on Saturdays Premier League action Sky Bet make the Hornets 7/10 favourites to take all three points, while Villa are at 17/4 to pick up their first win in 10 matches. After netting in their FA Cup semi-final Watford striker Troy Deeney is priced up at 5/6 to score anytime.Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas has picked both Deeney and striking partner Odion Ighalo to score which Sky Bet have Price Boosted from 3/1 to 100/30. See all the odds and tips from our other Sky Sports pundits here. ' ' '