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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. Ray Allen Jersey Large . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Thunder Jerseys China . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. http://www.customthunderjersey.com/ . -- Aaron Murray threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another score, and led No. Cheap Thunder Jerseys . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Authentic Custom Thunder Jersey . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. CLEVELAND -- Mike Napoli found the perfect way to lift up a weary baseball team.Napoli hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Cleveland Indians remained perfect in 10 games against the Detroit Tigers this season with a 5-3 victory on Monday night.The win also ended Clevelands two-game skid that followed a franchise-record 14-game winning streak set with a 19-inning victory in Toronto on Friday. The Indians dropped the final two games of the series and saw the start of Mondays game delayed by rain for 2 hours, 21 minutes.Weve got some guys who are tired and grinding to the All-Star break, Napoli said. You get on that run and then lose two and youre like, oh whats going on? We understand we have to finish strong so we can get some rest.The win came in front of a crowd of 34,163, the Indians second sellout of the season and first since opening day. Cleveland has outscored Detroit 65-23 this season and the Indians now lead the Tigers by 6 1/2 games in the AL Central.Napoli hit an 0-1 pitch from Bruce Rondon (2-1) into the left-field bleachers, helping the Indians to their 12th straight win at home.He throws pretty hard, Napoli said. I was trying to stay short to the ball and I caught it right.We dont live by the home run a ton but when hes up, thats why hes here, Indians manager Terry Francona said. We like to get to him and let him take three good swings.Jeff Manship (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings and Cody Allen worked the ninth for his 18th save. The game ended when Jose Iglesias bounced into a double play. Iglesias was called safe at first, but it was reversed after a replay review.Nick Castellanos and Steven Moya homered for Detroit, which had won six straight.The guys battled and fought down to the last out, but we hit into some bad luck, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.dddddddddddd And in the end, they beat us.Rondon struck out Jason Kipnis to start the seventh, but walked Francisco Lindor before Napoli hit his 17th homer.Detroit starter Daniel Norris was pulled in the third with a strained right oblique. The Tigers announced hell have an MRI on Tuesday.Danny Salazar allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings and has a 2.36 ERA, the lowest in the AL.Dustin Molleken made his major league debut when he replaced Norris in the third. Molleken was called up from Triple-A Toledo when right-hander Jordan Zimmermann was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a neck strain.Fridays marathon, along with Sundays 17-1 loss to the Blue Jays, forced the Indians to make several roster moves to help an overworked bullpen. Joba Chamberlain and Tom Gorzelanny were designated for assignment while Mike Clevinger and T.J. House were recalled from Triple-A Columbus before the game.COMEBACK TRAILIndians OF Michael Brantley, on the DL for the second time after offseason shoulder surgery, will take batting practice Tuesday. He began the season on the DL and played 11 games before being sidelined again May 14. Brantley had a cortisone shot for biceps tendinitis last month.TRAINERS ROOMTigers: Zimmermann, who had been scheduled to start Tuesday, won his first five starts but is 4-4 in 10 starts since.Indians: 3B Juan Uribe returned to the lineup after being hit on the right hand by a pitch Saturday.UP NEXTTigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (3-7, 6.71 ERA), who lost his spot in the rotation on May 31, fills in for Zimmermann.Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-2, 2.56 ERA) struck out a season-high 14 over 7 1/3 innings in his last outing, a 4-1 win at Toronto last Thursday. ' ' '