ms, CB Leodis McKelvin, LB Nigel Bradham.CAMP NEEDS: Bills need to stay healthy and out of trouble after unsettled offs

The Boston Celtics have built an identity the last few years under Brad Stevens as a tough-minded defensive team.His offensive brilliance with a mismatched roster without a star has always had the stout defense as a backdrop.To take that next step, Boston added Al Horford to Isaiah Thomas, hoping they would propel the club to the top of the Eastern Conference. They believed Horford would only bolster their defense.Horford has indeed helped, notwithstanding the failed tip-in at the buzzer against the Houston Rockets on Monday. Boston is sitting at 12-9 and in third in the packed Eastern Conference.The defense, though, has been slow to develop.In 2015, the Celtics finished 12th in defensive rating on their way to a surprise playoff berth. Last year, Boston finished fourth in that metric.This year, however, Boston is 17th in defensive rating, giving up 105.1 points per 100 possessions. Boston is still winning, but the team has struggled to bring its defense to the elite level that it one of the rising teams last year.The defense has improved recently. In the last 10 games, the Celtics are 11th in defensive rating, giving up 104.8 points per 100 possessions. Boston is still carving out an identity with the new players on the roster.The Celtics opponent Wednesday, as they wrap up a three-game trip, has found that identity in the last month.While the Celtics have been trying to elevate their defense, the Orlando Magic have become one of the top defenses in the league.Orlando had given up just 94.3 points per 100 possessions in 10 games before a 124-116 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The Magic have risen to third in the league as defense has become a key part of their identity.No player has embodied that improvement more than Nikola Vucevic, who had a reputation as a poor defender but has quickly become one of the biggest defensive stalwarts for the Magic this season.Everybody has been really so hard on my defense, Vucevic told the Orlando Sentinel. I think there is no player in this league that does everything. So there are areas that I do really well defensively (and) some areas that I need to improve, and I think I did improve on those this year. I never felt like my defense was that big of an issue. It was just all the media making a big deal out of it.The Celtics will hope to get their defense back on track against the Magic. They may have to do it without Thomas. The All-Star point guard missed Tuesdays practice with a pulled groin, but he told The Boston Globe he still hopes to play Wednesday.Wholesale China Jerseys . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. http://www.wholesalejerseysnfl.net/ . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Wholesale Adidas Hockey Jerseys . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Jerseys Cheap Wholesale . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play.BUFFALO BILLS (8-8)OPEN CAMP: July 28, Pittsford, New YorkLAST YEAR: Rex Ryan acknowledges he made mistake in attempting to mesh defensive philosophies in first year as coach. Led by Mario Williams, several players went public with complaints about Ryans scheme, and defense managed 21 sacks, franchise low for 16-game season, in extending Buffalos playoff drought to 16 years -- NFLs longest active streak. On bright side, QB Tyrod Taylor showed promise in going 8-6 as first-time starter, while overseeing offense that led league in rushing and in scoring 24 touchdowns of 20 yards or longer.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: LB Zack Brown, rookie DE Shaq Lawson, rookie LB Reggie Ragland, assistant head coach/defense Rob Ryan.IMPORTANT LOSSES: DE Mario Williams, CB Leodis McKelvin, LB Nigel Bradham.CAMP NEEDS: Bills need to stay healthy and out of trouble after unsettled offseason began with RB LeSSean McCoy being investigated for role in bar fight in Philadelphia.dddddddddddd No charges were filed against him. In matter of days earlier this month, backup RB Karlos Williams was suspended by NFL for four games for violating leagues substance abuse policy, and rookie RB Jonathan Williams was arrested for DWI. Starting receiver Sammy Watkins (foot surgery) is expected to miss beginning of camp, while top draft pick Lawson is expected to miss first month of season after having shoulder surgery.EXPECTATIONS: High hopes that followed Ryans hiring last year have been replaced by skepticism after Bills lacked consistency and looked nothing like so-called bully coach proclaimed he would build.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '