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 soon 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 room 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 shoot .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.Sf Air Force 1 Mid Desert Ochre . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Air Force 1 Alte Just Do It . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. http://www.airforce1outletitalia.it/scontate-air-force-1-alte-bianche.html . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. Air Force 1 Basse Italia . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. Air Force 1 Alte Flax . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days.BOULDER, Colo. -- Colorado safety Afolabi Laguda has been ejected for targeting in the first quarter against Washington State.Laguda was attempting to break up a 14-yard touchdown pass to Cougars receiver Robert Lewis on Saturday when he hit Lewis in the head. The call was confirmed after a review.Laguda entered the game as the second-leading tackler on the Buffaloes.This is the second time iin three games the Buffaloes have lost a player to a targeting call.dddddddddddd Outside linebacker Jimmie Gilbert was disqualified in the first quarter against UCLA on Nov. 3.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 . ' ' '