The Portland Trail Blazers seem determined to improve their defensive performance, beginning Wednesday night with a home date against the Indiana Pacers.On Monday, 12 hours after a 130-114 drubbing by the Houston Rockets, the Trail Blazers began to lay the foundation with a video session and a spirited practice focused on defense.This is the first time weve had a real practice in what seems like forever, point guard Damian Lillard said. It was gd for us to try to sharpen up, (to have) coaches challenge us.Its to the point now where our pride has to kick in. We have to show how much we actually care about ... being better defensively.The Rockets scorched the Blazers with 56.1 percent shting, including 47.2 percent (17 for 36) from 3-point range. Portland owns the worst defensive efficiency rating in the NBA (109.80) and is giving up more points (113.7) than any team in the league other than Brklyn (114.0).The Blazers (9-10) are tired of talking about getting better at the defensive end.We keep preaching it, but its getting old, guard Allen Crabbe said. At some point, it has to click. We keep telling ourselves we have to get better, but at some point, we have to get it going.The Blazers are one of the better offensive teams in the NBA, but they have trouble stopping anybody. Cleveland blitzed them for 137 points, Golden State for 127, Houston for 126 and 130, even Phoenix for 121.We scored 125 points against Cleveland, Lillard said. Thats a lot of points to score and not win a game. Right now, were not getting it done on the defensive end. Thats what it comes down to.Were going to put points on the board, but we have to find a way to get better at coming up with more stops. If (an opponents) execution gets harder, the (shting) percentage is going to go down. We have to make them more uncomfortable more consistently.Indiana, meanwhile, begins a five-game road trip coming off impressive back-to-back routs at home of the Brklyn Nets (118-97) and the Los Angeles Clippers (91-70). The wins were achieved without the services of star forward Paul George, who has missed six of the past seven games -- and will also sit out Wednesdays contest -- with ankle and back injuries.The Pacers also emphasize defense, led by point guard Jeff Teague, who ranks fourth in the NBA in steals at 2.11 per game.I have to be aggressive defensively and do my best to ignite and get guys going by pressuring the ball, Teague told the media. Everything else will take care of itself. (The last two games) were moving the ball better, guys are making shots and guys are playing with confidence.Coach Nate McMillan is striving for consistency in both effort and performance.We talked about not taking steps back, McMillan said. Weve played some gd games, and then you cant recognize the team the next game. We need to build some momentum at this point in the season.McMillan has been impressed with the work of 20-year-old center Myles Turner, who averaged 16.5 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots the last two games going up against Brk Lopez and DeAndre Jordan.Hey, welcome to the center position in the NBA: (Atlantas) Dwight Howard to Brk to Jordan the last three games, McMillan said. Theyre big, powerful guys. (Turner) is still developing and growing into that position, defending the basket. Hes working. Thats the one thing he brings to the flr every night. Discount Canucks Jerseys . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. Youth Canucks Jerseys . "Theyve both been real gd," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. http://www.cheapcanucksjerseyschina.com/michael-del-zotto-jersey/ . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker rm entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. Alex Biega Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Kirk Mclean Jersey . Tevez, who has had conflicts with coaches in the past, has not been called up since Sabella was named coach in 2011. Argentina boasts Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria. ATLANTA -- Alabama coach Nick Saban wants to help offensive crdinator Lane Kiffin get another head coaching job.College ftballs odd coaching couple led the top-ranked Crimson Tide to their third straight Southeastern Conference championship Saturday with a 54-16 win over No. 15 Florida. Theyre a lock to make it 3 for 3 in getting to the playoffs when the matchups are announced on Sunday.Kiffin has thrived in his role with the Tide, but the former USC, Tennessee and Oakland Raiders head coach is frequently mentioned for other jobs. His name has come up as a potential candidate for the openings at Oregon and Houston and for the offensive crdinator position at LSU under former USC colleague Ed Orgeron.Weve had conversations about it, Saban said. He wants to be a head coach. I want him to be a head coach. I want to help him get a head coaching job.The rest of it, we have not discussed, and I dont think its the right time.The coach added that time could come in the next couple of weeks.For his part, Kiffin wanted to savor the moment instead of talking about his future. He remained by himself while the team surgedd onto the field in celebration, strolling around and briefly chatting with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and others.ddddddddddddI dont want to talk about it right now, Kiffin said when asked about his future. I just want to enjoy winning another SEC championship.Asked if hed be with the Tide through the playoffs, he chuckled: I hope so. If theyll let me.Kiffin helped the Tide win the national championship last season.Hes worked with three different starting quarterbacks during his tenure, including freshman Jalen Hurts this season and guided Alabamas transition into a more up tempo style offense.Kiffin received a new deal in September paying him $1.4 million this year, extending through February 2017.That doubled his salary under a three-year deal running through this season. He had been receiving a buyout from USC.Kiffin had mixed results as a head coach at Tennessee and USC, and was fired during his second season with the Raiders.---More AP college ftball: tball.ap.org" target="_blank">www.collegeftball.ap.org ' ' '