CHICAGO -- For much of the young season, the Chicago Bulls havent had trouble keeping defensive pressure on opposing teams.The constant pressure, coupled with a blend of balanced scoring and an up-tempo style of play, led to a flawless start and three straight wins. But when the Bulls surrendered 36 first-quarter points in a 107-100 loss to the Boston Celtics Wednesday night, it resulted in an uphill climb the Bulls couldnt manage to finish.We could just never quite get over the hump, coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters after the Bulls dropped their first loss of the season.The Bulls hope to solve their defensive lapses Friday when they host the New York Knicks at the United Center. The Knicks have experienced defensive issues of their own of late, which have mounted in New York dropping three of its first four games.The Knicks sustained their second straight double-digit loss Wednesday in a 118-99 drubbing at the hands of the Houston Rockets. Already struggling to establish offensive rhythm under first-year coach Jeff Hornacek, the Knicks defensive struggles have been even more alarming.In each of its first four games, New York has allowed no fewer than 102 points, which has been a problem and could pose one against the Bulls, who have twice scored 118 points and have found plenty of production not only from its starting lineup headlined by Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, but from its bench.New Knicks guard Derrick Rose -- who will make his return to Chicago along with former Bulls teammate Joakim Noah Friday -- told reporters after the loss to Houston that things had to change if the Knicks hope to reverse their course.Its nothing but defense, Rose said Wednesday night. If we dont come out and play defense, were going to keep getting smacked like this.The frustrations are apparent with Rose, who was part of some Chicago teams during his tenure with the Bulls that thrived on keeping plenty of pressure on opposing teams. So now that hes on the opposite end of the spectrum with the Knicks, Rose understands what is at the core of New Yorks problems.Ive been on teams where were building a culture here -- were trying to bring a defensive culture here, Rose told reporters. Trying to make something last and establish something. It takes time.While Chicago has its share of new faces and is still experimenting to get the on-floor chemistry right, Hoiberg is hoping that Wednesday nights defensive struggles against the Celtics can be fixed.Among the Bulls biggest issues was defending the perimeter as the Celtics were able to find their range behind the 3-point arc and connected on 14 of their 32 attempts.Hoiberg liked the way his team battled back from a pair of double-digit deficits to tie the game at 100 in the closing minutes, he lamented the fact that the Bulls simply didnt do enough defensively to keep themselves in the game.We werent contesting shots, Hoiberg told reporters. We had a guy there, he was two or three steps behind as opposed to getting (shooters) into a long two or force them into the help (defense) where theyd have to make another pass.I just thought we gave them too many dare shots. Mike Hughes Jersey . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Alexander Mattison Vikings Jersey . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. http://www.thevikingsshoponline.com/Youth-Brian-ONeill-Vikings-Jersey/ . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Chuck Foreman Youth Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Chuck Foreman Vikings Jersey . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. MADRID -- Spanish authorities have detained 34 people, including six tennis players, involved in a tennis match-fixing network that made more than $500,000 from lower-tier tournaments in Spain and Portugal.Police said Thursday that Operation Futures probed several Futures and Challenger tournaments in Iberia for the past several months and found evidence that results were rigged.The tennis players were not identified, but authorities said they were ranked between Nos. 800 and 1,200 in the world. Their Spanish rankings ranged between Nos. 30 and 300.Police said they found evidence of match-fixing attempts in 17 mens tournaments in five cities, including Madrid, Seville and Porto.Authorities said the two alleged leaders of the network were among those detained across 12 Spanish cities. The leaders were based in Seville and La Coruna. All those detained were Spaniards and are expected to remain free pending trial.If convicted of corruption in sports, they could face prison sentences of up to four years.The investigation began after a tip given by a player to the Tennis Integrity Unit, the sports anti-corruption body.Investigation of corruption allegations by law enforcement agenncies takes precedence over tennis disciplinary action, the body said in an email.dddddddddddd The TIU will continue to work co-operatively with [Spanish police] and offer its full support and access to resources.Authorities took the case forward after noticing an unusual number of online bets related to the suspected tournaments.The network allegedly used instant-messaging groups and social media to attract online bettors who would pay for the information about rigged results.The players who participated in the scheme would receive about $1,000 for each match. In some cases, they MARSEILLE, France -- Coach Didier Deschamps has challenged his players to write themselves into the history of French football on Thursday by beating Germany in their European Championship semifinal.France has not won a trophy since Euro 2000 and is bidding to reach the final of a major competition for the first time in a decade.We have a new page to write. The players can write it, Deschamps said Wednesday at a pre-match news conference. Its blank now. We have to fill it tomorrow. Germany has reached at least the semifinals in the past five tournaments, losing the Euro 2008 final and winning the 2014 World Cup.We cant match Germany in terms of their experience, the number of caps, the number of semifinals and finals theyve been in, Deschamps said. But were going to give it our best shot. I dont want us to just think about defending. We have the ability to create danger.France had been waiting a long time for such an opportunity. After losing the 2006 World Cup final to Italy on penalties, which brought the curtain down on Zinedine Zidanes glory era, Les Bleus went into freefall, failing to win a game at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.Quarterfinal appearances at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup -- where it lost 1-0 to Germany -- somewhat restored Frances reputation.But victory against Germany would definitively close the chapter on an often traumatic era for French football, which included qn infamous training-ground strike at the World Cup six years ago.To reach that tournament, France had needed a blatant handball by Thierry Henry in a controversial playoff win against Ireland. There was also a five-match ban for then-captain Patrice Evra after the 2010 World Cup and a lack of discipline followed at Euro 2012.The build-up to Euro 2016 was full of debate as to whether striker Karim Benzema should play.With Benzema facing preliminary charges of conspiracy to blackmail France teammate Mathieu Valbuena, Deschamps left out arguably his most talented player in the interests of team harmony.Not everythings been smooth, but the players have done what they needed to, said Deschamps, the team captain when France won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. I believe in them.So far, his key choices have largely paid off at Euro 2016.He has stuck with striker Olivier Giroud against the majority of public opinion, and has been repaid with three goals.He took a risk on inexperienced Leicester midfielder NGolo Kante, who is now one of the most consistent players in the side.But his best move was giving attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet another chance, bringing him back into the side in late March.On Thursday, Deschamps is counting on a show of unity at Marseilles Stade Velodrome to help his side.Im convinced the fans will be right behind us, Deschamps said. Theyll have their part to play, and well need them. Marvin Jones Jr Youth Jersey . The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. T.J. Hockenson Youth Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. 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The two teams faced off in last years epic five-game ALDS, which featured three straight elimination games for the Blue Jays before Jose Bautistas bat-flip-heard-round-the-world sealed the Game 5 clincher. As most baseball fans know, the bad blood from the bat flip spilled over into this years regular season where Texas, rather cowardly, waited until the eighth inning of the last regular-season encounter with Toronto to exact its revenge, eventually leading to an on-field brawl.Itss a very different story from last year in many other ways as well, as the Rangers were huge +210 underdogs (Toronto -250) in the 2015 ALDS.dddddddddddd This year, Texas as a division winner not only has the home-field advantage versus the Blue Jays, the Rangers have it throughout the entire postseason courtesy of their American League-high 95 wins, and, should it come to the World Series, the ALs victory in the All-Star Game. Also unlike last year, Texas sports the more potent offense, at least based on runs scored in the regular season. ' ' 'were asked to lose specific points or games.The networks earnings in some of the tournaments surpassed $10,000.The Challenger tournaments are second-tier events organized by the ATP, while the Futures are single-week competitions organized by the International Tennis Federation offering either $10,000 or $25,000 in prize money.There were almost 40 Futures tournaments in Spain this season and more than 10 in Portugal. Spain hosted Challenger events in Sevilla and Segovia. ' ' '