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HOUSTON -- One night after struggling to contain one of the highest scoring guards in the NBA, the Rockets will get a second chance to shore up their defense when Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard pays a visit to Toyota Center on Thursday night.Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook torched Houston (6-5) for 30 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in a 105-103 Thunder victory. Westbrook entered the game second in the NBA in scoring (32 points per game) and assists (9.9), and pacing the NBA in usage rate at 41.4 percent.Lillard brings similar credentials, ranking fifth in scoring (29.8 points) and eighth in usage rate at 32.6 percent. But for all the success Westbrook had on Wednesday night and the potential for a similar eruption when they play host to Portland (7-5), the Rockets stumbled against the Thunder because their offense collapsed in the fourth quarter again.Houston has struggled with pace, scoring and shooting percentage in the fourth quarter this season and those issues were at the forefront of their loss to Oklahoma City. The Rockets posted just 13 points in the final period and were held scoreless between a Clint Capela dunk with 6:26 remaining and an Eric Gordon 3-pointer just prior to the buzzer. They missed nine consecutive shots during that stretch, adding to what has been a prevailing problem for an offense that oftentimes scores at will.We have that problem a little bit, Rockets coach Mike DAntoni said of holding the ball too long down the stretch of close games. I thought we got good shots. It might not have been your classic move the ball, move the ball, move the ball but I thought we had some looks. The 3s they had looks at we had them and they made them and we missed them. Sometimes it just comes down to youve got to make shots and we just didnt do it.The Trail Blazers issues are defense and rebounding. They entered Wednesday 29th in scoring defense (111.2 points per game) and 27th in defensive rating. The Bulls ravaged Portland on Tuesday night while rolling to a 113-88 victory at Moda Center, finishing plus-18 on the glass. Chicago managed 19 offensive boards, par for the course with Portland ranking 29th in defensive rebounding rate at 72.3 percent.Our defensive rebounding is a concern, Portland coach Terry Stotts said. Its addressed and weve got to get better and focus on it.Similar to the Rockets, Portland leans on offensive might to carry the weight most nights. The Trail Blazers trailed 13-2 before recording their first basket with 6:48 left in the first quarter against the Bulls and were down 17 when someone other than C.J. McCollum scored a basket.Yet for all the concerns over defense and rebounding, the NBA remains a make-or-miss league. When the Rockets and Portland make shots, particularly from the perimeter, they are difficult for any defense to slow. When they dont, whether in the first or fourth quarter, problems arise.Were not a paint team. We rely on 3s, we rely on penetration, Stotts said. When youre struggling offensively in the first quarter there are going to be a lot of bloated numbers across the board. Wholesale USWNT Jerseys . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. Cheap USWNT Jerseys . Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. https://www.cheapuswnt.com/ .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. USWNT Store . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. USWNT Jerseys 2021 . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Former Socceroos captain Paul Okon will coach the Central Coast Mariners for at least the next two A-League seasons.Okon assumes the full-time role at the Mariners from Tony Walmsley, who was sacked this month after the team won just three games in the past season to finish last.It means Okon, who has previously coached the Australian under 20s, will have just five weeks to turn the team around before their opening A-League game of the season against Perth on October 8.But he wont have the services of assistant coach John Hutchison, who has parted ways with the Mariners following 12 years at the club.The announcement on Monday came only hours after Okons appointment.Hutchison made 228 A-League appearances as a player for Central Coast and captained them to their maiden championship in 2013.He then moved into a coaching role at the club where hes been since their inception.Central Coast said in a statement that Hutchison has reached a mutual agreement with the club that will see him pursue other opportunities.Okon, meantime, say he isnt concerned about the quick turnaround he has to get the Mariners ready for the new season.One thing that Ive learnt to accept and do my best with at a national team level has been preparing players with limited time so its not new to me at all, Okon said.Its a part of what Ive been doing for four and a half yearrs.ddddddddddddny coach will tell you that they dont have enough time but Im happy with five weeks and confident that the type of football I want to play, I will be able to get across before round one.Okon played 28 matches for the Socceroos, and returned to Australia to play in 2006 with the Newcastle Jets.He then held an assistant coaching role at Gold Coast United in 2008, and has since played a key role in the nations youth teams.Mariners vice chairman Peter Storrie said they had received more than 60 applicants for the role, but saw Okons knowledge of youth as key in turning the Mariners around.In Paul we have an outstanding candidate that covers all areas for us, Storrie said.His extensive knowledge of young players across the country, understanding of the Hyundai A-League and understanding of the Central Coast Mariners were crucial decision making factors.Okons appointment also comes with the endorsement of Socceroos head coach Ange Postecoglou and the clubs football advisor Harry Redknapp.(Redknapp) also played an important role in the recruitment process and agreed with our final decision to appoint an Australian coach compared to the raft of overseas candidates who applied for the position, Storrie said. 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