MINNEAPOLIS - When Damian Lillard drilled the 3-pointer to beat Houston in Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs last season, the Rockets left Portland knowing that they had to do one thing if they were going to become legitimate contenders in the powerful Western Conference. Nike Air Max 97 Sale .They had to become a better defensive team.Assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff took on the task, and the changes he has implemented have been a smashing success early this season. The Rockets are second in the league in points allowed per 100 possessions, third in field-goal percentage defence and third in points allowed per game, helping them to a 16-4 record that is the second-best start in the league.Last year at the end of the playoffs, we sat down and went over a lot of stuff, coach Kevin McHale said. We just had to get better defensively. We had to get more disruptive. JB Bickerstaff has done a great job.Even more impressive is that the Rockets have been so successful while playing almost half of their games without their two best defensive players — Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley. Howard has only played 10 games and Beverley eight because of injuries, but new swingman Trevor Ariza and veteran Jason Terry have been instrumental in instilling a new focus and attention to detail on that side of the floor.Bickerstaff, one of the rising young assistants in the game, said he watched video of Howards dominant days in Orlando and consulted with other coaches including his father, Bernie, and Mike Brown, a respected defensive strategist, to come up with a plan to address the Rockets issues on defence.The last play in Portland was kind of a microcosm of our entire season, Bickerstaff said. There was miscommunication and it ended with a wide open look for Damian that cost us.The biggest thing is the guys have bought in and are committed on that end of the floor, he said. Now you hear guys in tight games saying, Were one of the best defensive teams in the league. Lets get a stop. This is what we do.The Rockets play at Golden State, at Sacramento and host Denver this week.Here are some other things to keep an eye on in the NBA:PARKERS 3s: Spurs PG Tony Parker is shooting 65 per cent from 3-point range this season and is averaging 1.4 attempts per game, which would be his highest since the 2004-05 season if he sustains it through the year. As I get older, Pop is less concerned about what Im doing so Im sneaking in some 3s sometimes, Parker joked.LEBRON VS. DURANT: The best game of the week could be on Thursday, when LeBron James and the streaking Cavaliers visit Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant and Russell Westbrook are finally healthy and playing, and every game counts for them after the Thunder lost 13 of their first 17 with them on the bench.MAVERICKS TOUGH WEEK: Every week is tough in the West, but Dallas definitely has its work cut out this week with a trip to Memphis on Tuesday, a home game against Anthony Davis and New Orleans on Wednesday and a visit from the conference-leading Golden State Warriors on Saturday.COUSINS HEALTH: DeMarcus Cousins impressive start has been derailed by a viral infection. Hes missed the last five games and it remains unclear when the big man will return to the Kings lineup.SURGING SIXERS? After going 0-17 and coming dangerously close to setting the record for worst start to a season, the Philadelphia 76ers have won two of their last three games, beating Detroit and Minnesota last week. They travel to Atlanta on Wednesday and Brooklyn on Friday before hosting Memphis on Saturday.___STAT LINE OF THE WEEK: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: The ageless wonder had 14 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists on Dec. 6 at Memphis, helping the Spurs overcome the loss of Parker to beat the rugged Grizzlies, 107-101. It was the 38-year-old Duncans first triple-double in the regular season since Nov. 11, 2010 at Golden State. Nike Air Max 97 Online . -- The court fight over NFL concussions should heat up soon as a judge in Philadelphia weighs the fairness of the proposed $765 million settlement. Discount Nike Air Max 97 . The Marlies surrendered two power-play goals and failed to score on six man-advantage opportunities en route to a 4-1 defeat in American Hockey League action on Saturday. https://www.fakeairmax97wholesale.com/ . "Ive got a lot of work to do on this team and the sooner that I can get back to my office and start that work, itll be better," he said straight-faced as the rest of the room erupted in laughter.MADRID, Spain -- Atletico Madrid brought back Diego to strengthen its Spanish league title push, while Valencia witnessed a series of arrivals and exits from the club as the January transfer window closed on Friday. Atletico signed the Brazilian midfielder on loan from Wolfsburg until the end of the season. Diego previously played under coach Diego Simeone during the 2011/12 season, helping Atletico win the Europa League title that season. Diego said he was overwhelmed by the return to Atletico as it bids for a first league title since 1996, while also competing in the knockout stages of the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. "It was only a matter of time before Atletico got to where it is," Diego said. "I had already seen the potential of this team and this club when I was here before." Diegos arrival meant midfielder Oliver Torres playing time was certain to dip, so Atletico loaned the promising teenage talent to Villarreal. With neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid making any last-ditch transfer moves, Valencia took the spotlight as it looks to turn around a bitterly disappointing season that has left it 17 points adrift of the Champions League places. The club unloaded a handful of underperforrming players -- including Argentina midfielder Ever Banega -- and added several recruits, including former Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita. Nike Air Max 97 China. Valencia was active from Thursday when it signed Keita and striker Eduardo Vargas from Napoli while loaning out forwards Dorlan Pablon, Helder Postiga, and Andres Guardado. On Friday, Valencia added Cruzeiro striker Vinicius Araujo to its attack alongside Vargas after signing the Brazilian to a reported five-year-deal. Valencia also rid itself of a pair of underperforming midfielders as Sergio Canales joined Real Sociedad in a reported 3.5 million euros ($4.7 million) deal. Banega, whose career at Valencia has been riddled with problems, joined Newells Old Boys on loan until the end of the current season. Valencia also signed Swiss defender Philippe Senderos from Fulham, while midfielder Ricardo Costas move to Turkish club Besiktas fell through, however. Rayo Vallecano signed Inter Milans Samule Longo, Granada landed Brazilian striker Welliton from Spartak Moscow, and Levante signed former Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko, a free agent, after Valladolid balked. Valladolid instead signed former Barcelona winger Jeffren Suarez from Sporting Lisbon. ' ' '