PORTLAND, Ore. -- Erik Spoelstra knows what its like to win NBA championships (twice) and what its like to miss the playoffs.While the Miami Heat arent in position to sn claim another NBA title, Spoelstra would like to think theyre heading in the right direction.Its been an up-and-down season, but I really like this group we have, said the ninth-year head coach, whose Heat are 7-12 but won two in a row heading into Saturday nights matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. We have a lot of talented, exciting young players (with whom) were building and developing our Heat culture.We knew what we were getting into at the start the season (with the loss of Dwyane Wade). The record isnt what we want it to be, but that hasnt tempered the optimism or excitement about the group moving forward.Miami -- which is 5-4 in its last nine games after a 2-8 start -- ranks on the low end in the NBA in most offensive categories, including scoring (28th), field-goal percentage (27th), 3-point percentage (25th) and free-throw percentage (30th). The Heat are improving, though, averaging 107 points the past four games, including a 111-110 win at Utah on Thursday night.It has taken a little bit of time with the offense, Spoelstra told the Portland Tribune. The guys are getting more comfortable, more confident.Center Hassan Whiteside ranks among the top 10 in the league in rebounds (first, 15.1), blocked shots (third, 2.56) and field-goal percentage (.559, ninth) while averaging a team-high 17.7 points.Ive really enjoyed watching Hassan embrace the responsibility of being a great player, Spoelstra said. What hes learning now is the responsibility on all levels to impact winning. Thats with a commitment every single day to attention to detail, work ethic and mental approach that the entire locker rm sees.The Trail Blazers offense was in high gear in a 131-109 victory over Indiana Wednesday night. But it was improved effort at the defensive end the players wanted to talk about.When we play well defensively -- when we fly around, have active hands, get deflections -- we can get out and run, said point guard Damian Lillard, who ranks sixth in the NBA in scoring with a 28.2-point average. It shows the kind of shots we can get and the kind of game we can play.Portland (10-10) reached a season high in points going up against an Indiana team that came in leading the league in steals (9.6) and opponents turnovers (16.9), was second in opponents 3-point percentage (.32 and third in blocked shots (6.2). Against the Blazers, the Pacers had three steals, forced seven turnovers, allowed the Blazers to sht .375 from 3-point range and blocked four shots. The seven giveaways were a season low for Portland.When you have a game with seven turnovers against a team like that, it shows you can in with the right mentality, Lillard told the Portland Tribune. Cheap Ozzie Smith Jersey .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Cheap Randy Jones Jersey . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. http://www.cheappadresjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-trevor-hoffman-jersey . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty gd place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very gd defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Cheap Dave Winfield Jersey . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Wholesale Padres Jerseys . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. VANCOUVER -- Tyler Benson did not want to be a special case. So the WHLs top 2013 bantam draft pick will wait a season before joining the Vancouver Giants on a permanent basis. Canadian major junior rules require a player to be at least 16 before joining a team in the WHL, QMJHL or OHL full-time. Exceptions are made in cases of players with rare talent after teams, in conjunction with parents, make special-status applications. "We didnt really think about it," said Benson, 15, who signed a WHL player contract with the Giants on Tuesday and was introduced to Vancouver media. "People asked me if I was (going to), but our family decided I need to still play midget and stay home for another year." Benson will play midget in his hometown of Edmonton next season. Former and current OHLers John Tavares, now an NHL most valuable player candidate with the New York Islanders, Connor McDavid and defenceman Sean Day have played in the league as 15-year-olds. In 2012-13, Benson broke an Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League single-season points record as he produced 57 goals and 89 assists in only 33 games with the South Side Athletic Clubs Southgate Lions in Edmonton. The Lions won Alberta and Western Canadian championships. He broke the AMBHL record for the most points in a season tallying 146 points (57 goals, 89 assists) in 33 games. He broke the previous mark of 131 points set by Portland Winter Hawks sniper Ty Rattie in 2007-08, when he was with a club based in Airdrie, Alta. The gaudy numbers surpassed had many observers wondering whether he would try to move up to major junior early. But Giants general manager Scott Bonner said Benson has made the right decision. "(Players) should stay at home at 15," said Bonner. "They dont have to rush here. Sixteen is more than young enough to play at our level. Theyre going to have a two (or) three-year window. In (Bensons) case, if he develops, hell be here for a couple seasons and then move on to pro." By staying home, Bonner added, Benson can possibly grow an inch or two, put on 10 pounds and "just be a kid." He can also benefit from playing for the South Side Athletic Club, a very gd organization, in such events as the Macs major midget tournament in Calgary. "That midget year is a very influential year in your life," said Bonner, a former WHL player. "Id love to see him play if hes ready, but I dont make that decision," said Vancouver coach Don Hay. "Theres a lot of things that go into that decision." When Benson does join the Giantts, Bonner expects him to be a building block for a Giants squad that hopes to host the 2016 Memorial Cup, pending the result of its application to the WHL later this year.dddddddddddd "Ive watched him play probably close to 20 times this year, and he was consistent every game," said Bonner. "He works hard. Obviously, his stats speak for themselves, but his attitude is second to none." The GM likened Bensons hard, physical style to former Giant Brendan Gallagher, who excelled in his rkie season with the Montreal Canadiens and is in the running for NHL rkie of the year honours. "Obviously, (Gallagher) didnt have (Bensons) size," said Bonner. "But I found (Benson) played the game with a level of enthusiasm that was unmatched. And to break a guy like Ty Ratties longstanding record is impressive." Bonner said Benson will still play some games with the Giants this season. He is eligible to play at least five games during the regular season and can join the Giants full-time after his midget season concludes. The WHL club can also call him up if players are away at the world junior tournament, and those games will not count against the five-game limit. "Id like to play a few games," said Benson. "Its up to our owners and coaches, I guess." He will also attend Vancouvers training camp and play exhibition games. Bonner said coaches might regret the decision not to have him play the full-season, but the GM noted the careers of NHL stars like Jarome Iginla, Shane Doan, and Brendan Gallagher were not harmed by playing an extra year of midget. "In time, you get there," said Bonner. Meanwhile, the Giants announced that entertainment manager Bruce Allen has become a part owner. Allen represents such Canadian music stars as Bryan Adams, Martina McBride, Anne Murray, Jann Arden and Michael Buble, who is also a Giants minority owner. Allen has also organized a number of events. Majority owner Ron Toigo said the club will get Allen to assist with its bids to host 2016 Memorial Cup and a future world junior tournament. "Its all about entertainment, and theres no better guy in the entertainment business than Bruce Allen," said Toigo. Notes--The Giants other owners include hockey icons Gordie Howe and Pat Quinn, chartered accountant Sultan Thiara, and Lewis Buble, the pop singers father. ... Vancouvers other 2013 first-round choice, defenceman Matt Barberis of Surrey, B.C., and rearguard Ryely McKinstry of Calgary, a second-round choice, also signed WHL contracts Tuesday. ' ' '