Erik Spoelstra refuses to confirm Greg Oden return

Erik Spoelstra has refused to confirm whether Greg Oden will take any part in the Miami Heat's first game of the new NBA season.

Oden played on an NBA court for the first time in almost four years in a pre-season triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans last week but Spoelstra admitted he was still remaining patient with the first pick in the 2007 draft.

"It was just back to the process," Spoelstra said Friday. "It wasn't anything unexpected. It wasn't anything that we have to do differently. We're going to be very disciplined to the big-picture thinking, very patient with it.

"I think he's appreciated that, based on all of the research and everything you feel. This is the right path."

Miami start their season by hosting the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.