Joe Mellor says Super League leaders Widnes will be out to make a statement on Thursday as they seek a first away win over Wigan for 11 years. The 25-year-old Mellor has been in sensational form along with his half-back partner Kevin Brown as the Vikings have equalled their best ever start to a Super League campaign.In the bottom four at the end of 2015 and tipped for another battle against relegation, the Vikings have silenced their critics by winning five of their opening six matches and boast the best attack in Super League as well as the leading try-scorer in Corey Thompson. But Mellor knows they face an acid test of their title aspirations against the Warriors, who are one of only two clubs with 100 per cent records so far this year and, fresh from a demolition of defending champions Leeds, have the chance to take over top spot.I think a lot of people are surprised because of the way we performed last year and where we ended up in the league, but we had a really good pre-season and obviously took that into the season, said Mellor.Nobody is getting carried away because we know it could change, were just looking to turn up each week and perform the best we can. Barrie McDermott says hes been impressed with the Vikings performances this season Warrington-born Mellor, one of 16 Wigan academy products in the two squads for Thursdays game at the DW Stadium, is playing the best rugby of his career since joining Widnes.He made two Super League appearances for the Warriors in 2012 before being sidelined for nine months with a knee injury and went on to rebuild his career under Denis Betts, another former Wigan player.Im not bitter about anything, he said. Wigan have got a really good youth set-up and I enjoyed my time there and learned a lot.Denis gave me my opportunity and [Stefan] Marsh went on dual [registration] to Widnes as well the year before me. Widnes were emphatic 46-6 victors over Hull FC last Thursday Its a good pathway for us to get some game time but now I think well be able to attract some really good players to Widnes. Were up there and competing with the likes of Wigan these days.We do really want to go out and make a statement this week. I think last week was our biggest test of the season against Hull FC and this is going to be massive.While the Vikings are averaging 35 points a game, Wigan have the meanest defence having leaked just 66 points in five games.They are unbeaten against Super League opposition at the DW Stadium since June 2014 - not that coach Shaun Wane is taking his sides impressive home record for granted. Stefan Marsh, Corey Thompson, Denis Betts and Joe Mellor look ahead to Thursdays trip to Wigan Every club that comes to the DW poses a threat to it, Wane said. I dont get carried away with the fortress comments.We need to turn up mentally and be ready to defend our line like our life depends on it. We did that last week. Unfortunately we couldnt see the game out by nilling Leeds [winning 28-6] but well have to have the same attitude against Widnes. Wigan ran out 28-6 winners in their Grand Final rematch with Leeds Theyre playing really well. Theyre scoring some points and really attacking teams.They have an advantage with their home pitch but theyre also playing well away. The attacking shapes theyre showing with Joe Mellor, Kev Brown and Rhys Hanbury out the back are outstanding.Theyve done things to Leeds and Hull that we couldnt do. We beat them both but they werent convincing wins and Widnes have absolutely pumped both teams [56-12 and 46-6 respectively]. Wigan will give a late fitness test to George Williams Widnes are set to switch Chris Dean from the second row to centre to plug the gap caused by the loss of Chris Bridge with a neck injury, while Setaimata Sa and Gil Dudson are both pushing for recalls.Wigan will give late fitness tests to stand-off George Williams, who pulled out of last weeks win over Leeds with a back problem, and second rower Liam Farrell, who is nursing a shoulder injury.Second rower Nick Gregson keeps his place in the squad after making his debut against the Rhinos and Wane may give a debut to prop Joe Bretherton if Farrell is ruled out.Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Joe Bretherton, Gregg Burke, Josh Charnley, Tony Clubb, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Oliver Gildart, Nick Gregson, Dom Manfredi, Lee Mossop, Sean OLoughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, George Williams.Widnes Vikings: Kevin Brown, Hep Cahill, Chris Dean, Gil Dudson, Alex Gerrard, Tom Gilmore, Rhys Hanbury, Aaron Heremaia, Chris Houston, Macgraff Leuluai, Manase Manuokafoa, Stefan Marsh, Joe Mellor, Eamon OCarroll, Charly Runciman, Setaimata Sa, Corey Thompson, Lloyd White, Matt Whitley.Watch Wigan v Widnes live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Thursday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract. Mitchell Schwartz Super Bowl Jersey . -- Five former Kansas City Chiefs players who were on the team between 1987 and 1993 filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the team hid and even lied about the risks of head injuries during that time period when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place in the NFL. Armani Watts Super Bowl Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. http://www.officialkcchiefspro.com/ . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. Travis Kelce Super Bowl Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Reggie Ragland Super Bowl Jersey . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . ORLANDO, Fla. -- Retaining fifth-year center Hassan Whiteside was a major priority for the Miami Heat last summer.Whiteside, an emerging star, showed why it was so important for the Heat keep him as the cornerstone of their rebuilding during Wednesday nights season opener. The 7-footer dominated the paint in helping deliver a 108-96 win in Miamis first game without perennial All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.He led the Heat with 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots. It was a statement night even if that wasnt Whitesides intention.Its not about trying to make a statement, Whiteside said. Its just that Im coming out here and playing. My teammates made it easier for me and we just played as a team. Im coming out there with a chip on my shoulder, a lot of guys are counting us out. These guys have an edge to them so Im excited.Whiteside showed some flashes in the first half, but it was in the second that his athleticism and strength became too much for the Magic, who were without center Bismack Biyombo for Wednesday nights game. Whiteside scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots in the final two quarters to help the Heat blow open a back-and-forth game.Miami never relinquished the lead again after a 7-0 run midway through the third quarter that was sparked by a big block by Whiteside and one of his several slam dunks.He was enjoying the game and competition, even when he was on the bench and that is important, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. We need him to be great and he was that in the third quarter. He really anchored our defense and ignited everyone else.His prowess on the inside started a dunk-fest as the Heat owned the paint the second half. Goran Dragic scored 16 points and Justise Winslow added 15, while Tyler Johnsons 15 points led three players off the bench in double figures for Miami.Miami scored outscored Orlando 74-36 in the paint.Orlando guard Evan Fournier led all five starters in double figures with 20 points while Nikola Vucevic turned in a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds.But none of it was enough to prevent Frank Vogell from suffering a loss in his coaching debut with the Magic.ddddddddddddIP INSHeat: Second-year guard Josh Richardson did not play Wednesday night due to a sprained MCL in his right knee. ... Both Tyler Johnson and James Johnson came off the bench to give the Heat a boost, scoring eight points each in the first half. ... The Heat have won six straight openers, the longest such current streak in the NBA.Magic: Point guard Elfrid Payton had an up and down night, scoring 16 points, but he only had four in the second half and committed four costly turnovers. ... Serge Ibaka managed 14 points but shot just 6 of 17 from the field in his debut with the Magic.MILESTONE WINIt was Spoelstras career win No. 400.I was talking to Pat (Riley) about that and he said `Oh, 400. When I was with the Lakers that many years, I had about 700, Spoelstra said. Thats puts it in perspective. Im just glad I had an opportunity to coach this many games. I should have been fired three or four times.HEATED RIVALRYFournier says there is no better opponent for the Magic to start the season with than their in-state rival Miami.Playing Miami the first game is special, Fournier said. We dont like them and they dont like us. Its no secret.MIDDLE MANWith Biyombo serving an NBA-mandated one-game suspension for exceeding the flagrant foul limit in last seasons playoffs, the Magic had to shift some things around. Ibaka had to slide over and play center quite a bit when Orlando went to its smaller lineup and Vucevic went to the bench.UP NEXTHeat: Miami will open its home schedule on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets without Wade on the roster for the first time since the Heat drafted him in in the first round in 2003. Wade is playing for the Chicago Bulls.Magic: On Friday Orlando begins an early season three-game road swing with the first stop at The Palace of Auburn Hills to take on the Detroit Pistons. The Magic will also play NBA champion Cleveland and then Philadelphia on the trip. ' ' '