HOUSTON -- In the never-ending search for early-season trends that might serve as an indicator of long-term behavior, the Houston Rockets followed their fifth loss of the season on Wednesday night with a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers one evening later to avoid suffering their first losing skid on the season.The Rockets (7-5), with a new coach and reconfigured roster, remain in search of consistency. Yet, their ability to rebound from setbacks offers optimism, particularly this week given the disappointment that resonated after their come-from-ahead loss against Oklahoma City. Houston led by as many as 11 points before falling 105-103.Were still fairly new as a team, said Rockets guard James Harden, who followed a season-worst 13-point performance against the Thunder with his third triple-double of the season against Portland. Were still trying to figure each other out. As long as we can bounce back and continue to get better, continue to grow and learn from our mistakes, well be all right.Through victory and defeat the Rockets, who host the Utah Jazz (7-6) on Saturday at Toyota Center, are working to establish their identity. They fancy themselves as a space-and-pace outfit yet they rank a modest 14th in the NBA in pace at 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes. They are fifth in offensive rating and are coming off back-to-back games where seven and six players reached double figures in scoring.With the return of guard Patrick Beverley, Houston aims to improve defensively. What theyve shown through a dozen games is a willingness to work at everything.Were going to make some mistakes and we still have some improving to do, Rockets coach Mike DAntoni said. As long as they come with that attitude every day and work at it and fix their mistakes, then good things will happen.Injuries continue to undermine the Jazz, who followed a successful five-game swing through the Eastern Conference with consecutive home losses. Utah went 4-1 before returning home and dropping games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls, with the absences of guard George Hill (thumb) and forward Derrick Favors (knee) looming large.Weve had a lot of guys adjusting to injury, Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. Theres a lot of that going on.I dont want to overreact to one player playing poorly or our team playing poorly. That doesnt get you where you want to go.Without Hill, who has missed six games, the Jazz can appear rudderless. Utah was emboldened by the return of forward Gordon Hayward to open their road trip but Hill provides a veteran touch orchestrating the offense that isnt easily replaced.Second-year guard Dante Exum has started the last four games in place of Hill and over the previous six games is averaging nine points and two assists while shooting just 40.8 percent. Prior to his injury, Hill was averaging 20.4 points and five assists.Incidentally, Utah ranks dead last in the NBA in pace at 90.6 possessions per 48. Hill is questionable for a return against the Rockets, but with or without him Utah must find the rhythm it established on the road only to lose it back in Salt Lake City.Were going to go on this two-game road trip and hopefully get the best of that, Exum said. Zapatillas Adidas Outlet España . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Adidas Baratos España . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. http://www.zapatillasadidasbaratas.es/ .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. Zapatillas Adidas Baratas Chile . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. Zapatillas Adidas Baratas Outlet España .4 million title. Ryan Riess emerged with the title after a session in which he started behind, but used expert skill to gather the chips to his side amid the unpredictability of no-limit Texas Hold em. Riess put his final opponent Jay Farber all-in with an Ace-King. OAKLAND -- The Chicago Cubs activated outfielder Jorge Soler from the disabled list and designated relief pitcher Joe Nathan for assignment on Friday.Soler, 24, batted sixth and played designated hitter in his first game since June 6, a 7-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.In his first at-bat, he hit a three-run home run in the first inning. Soler also reached on a fielders choice and scored on Javier Baezs double in the third.Soler injured his hamstring two months ago, which continued his yearly trend of spending time on the disabled list because of leg problems. Soler split his rehab time between Double-A and Triple-A and hit .162, which led manager Joe Maddon to indicate that Soler needed to work on his timing before he was recalled.The team changed course this weekend, knowing that it could install Soler in the DH role and admitting that an extended stay in the minors wasnt energizing him.I think youre going to see better, Maddon said Friday afternoon. Ive seen that with guys that have to go back to Triple-A for an extended period of time. ... Im not saying its right or wrong, it just happens.Maddon said there are no restrictions on Soler, who will be watched carefully as he restarts his season.dddddddddddd He had five home runs and a .223 batting average in 130 at-bats in the first part of this season.I want to see how he responds to all this, Maddon said.Nathan, 41, returned this season after having his second major elbow surgery and was signed by the Cubs in May, well before they added lefties Mike Montgomery and Aroldis Chapman via trades. The Cubs didnt have time to bring Nathan along as they begin their pennant push.He needed more time, Maddon said. We had so many other people to get involved. It just didnt work out immediately in a sense.The Cubs want to bring second baseman Tommy La Stella back from the minors, though he was given personal time after being optioned last weekend.Hes taking batting practice, staying active, Maddon said of La Stella. Were trying to get him back up here. Its not clear-cut.We have so many tough decisions to make. ... Im not bemoaning anything.This is the first time in a long time that the Cubs have had a healthy roster. ' ' '