Blazers opt to keep Patty Mills, still waiting for Oberto, and Oden goes 5-on-5 for first time

The news was good Monday for Patty Mills, who for a second consecutive year survived the final cut and made the opening day roster for the Trail Blazers.

NBA teams have to turn in their opening-day rosters to the league by 3 p.m. Pacific today, and as the Blazers' practice ended about 12:40 p.m., the Blazers still had not decided whether they will keep Mills as their 15th player or release him. But about 20 minutes later, the decision was made, and Mills will be on the roster when the Blazers open the season Tuesday.

"We like him, he's doing some good things," Portland coach Nate McMillan said  before the decision was made.

As expected, the Blazers officially waived center/forward Jeff Pendergraph, who is out of the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in a preseason game.

Meanwhile, newly-signed center Fabricio Oberto was not at practice, but he is expected to be in Portland today. He still needs to complete a physical, and McMillan was not sure if he would use Oberto against the Suns in Portland's season opener at the Rose Garden on Tuesday.

"He hasn't practiced with the team, so we'll see," McMillan said.

There was a definite air of optimism at the practice facility, and it might have come from a significant development: center Greg Oden participated in five-on-five scrimmaging for the first time. McMillan said it was a positive step, although he still had no timetable for Oden's return.

Still, McMillan was willing to sound a positive note, saying that when Oden and Joel Przybilla return, his expectations for the Blazers will rise.

"We've go the chance to win some games and do something special," McMillan said