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Heat's Greg Oden to start first game since 2009

Greg Oden was drafted first overall by the Portland Trailblazers in the 2008 NBA draft. ( Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Greg Oden was drafted first overall by the Portland Trailblazers in the 2008 NBA draft. ( Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Former No. 1 pick Greg Oden will start his first game since December 5, 2009 on Sunday when the Miami Heat take on the Chicago Bulls, according to Ethan Skolnick of Turner Sports.

Oden will fill in for LeBron James, who is missing the game after suffering a broken nose in the team's 103-81 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

GOLLIVER: Heat's LeBron James (nose) out versus Bulls

Oden had not played in any of the last three NBA seasons with a variety of injuries, before being picked up by the Heat this year. The former Trailblazer has made 10 appearances for the team already this year, averaging just under 8 minutes per game.

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