CHICAGO -- For much of the young season, the Chicago Bulls havent had trouble keeping defensive pressure on opposing teams.The constant pressure, coupled with a blend of balanced scoring and an up-tempo style of play, led to a flawless start and three straight wins. But when the Bulls surrendered 36 first-quarter points in a 107-100 loss to the Boston Celtics Wednesday night, it resulted in an uphill climb the Bulls couldnt manage to finish.We could just never quite get over the hump, coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters after the Bulls dropped their first loss of the season.The Bulls hope to solve their defensive lapses Friday when they host the New York Knicks at the United Center. The Knicks have experienced defensive issues of their own of late, which have mounted in New York dropping three of its first four games.The Knicks sustained their second straight double-digit loss Wednesday in a 118-99 drubbing at the hands of the Houston Rockets. Already struggling to establish offensive rhythm under first-year coach Jeff Hornacek, the Knicks defensive struggles have been even more alarming.In each of its first four games, New York has allowed no fewer than 102 points, which has been a problem and could pose one against the Bulls, who have twice scored 118 points and have found plenty of production not only from its starting lineup headlined by Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, but from its bench.New Knicks guard Derrick Rose -- who will make his return to Chicago along with former Bulls teammate Joakim Noah Friday -- told reporters after the loss to Houston that things had to change if the Knicks hope to reverse their course.Its nothing but defense, Rose said Wednesday night. If we dont come out and play defense, were going to keep getting smacked like this.The frustrations are apparent with Rose, who was part of some Chicago teams during his tenure with the Bulls that thrived on keeping plenty of pressure on opposing teams. So now that hes on the opposite end of the spectrum with the Knicks, Rose understands what is at the core of New Yorks problems.Ive been on teams where were building a culture here -- were trying to bring a defensive culture here, Rose told reporters. Trying to make something last and establish something. It takes time.While Chicago has its share of new faces and is still experimenting to get the on-floor chemistry right, Hoiberg is hoping that Wednesday nights defensive struggles against the Celtics can be fixed.Among the Bulls biggest issues was defending the perimeter as the Celtics were able to find their range behind the 3-point arc and connected on 14 of their 32 attempts.Hoiberg liked the way his team battled back from a pair of double-digit deficits to tie the game at 100 in the closing minutes, he lamented the fact that the Bulls simply didnt do enough defensively to keep themselves in the game.We werent contesting shots, Hoiberg told reporters. We had a guy there, he was two or three steps behind as opposed to getting (shooters) into a long two or force them into the help (defense) where theyd have to make another pass.I just thought we gave them too many dare shots. Authentic Zaire Franklin Jersey . 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"Its still the same cranky Phil. ATLANTA -- Three-time defending champion John Isner beat Taylor Fritz 7-5, 6-4 on Friday night in an all-American match to advance to the BB&T Atlanta Open semifinals.The 6-foot-10 Isner set up a match with the man who replaced him as the tallest player on the ATP World Tour, 6-foot-11 American teen Reilly Opelka.Hes had a great run, the top-seeded Isner said about Opelka. Im certainly going to try to end it, but its going to be very tough.Isner overpowered Fritz, the 18-year-old seeded eighth, with 20 aces for his 14th straight victory in the hardcourt event. The former University of Georgia star has reached the finals five of the previous six years.It was a good win, Isner said. The first set was obviously tight. I was feeling good and feeling strong. In the second set, I had to keep holding serve as well as I could, and I did that.The 18-year-old Opelka topped seventh-seeded Donald Young 6-4, 6-4 in another all-American match to reach his first tourr semifinal.ddddddddddddIve been doing a really good job with my movement, winning points on my opponents serve, Opelka said. The way I am serving now, I know I can at least get to a tie-break. But being able to hit good returns and passing shots is huge.In the other semifinal, second-seeded Nick Kyrgios of Australia will face Japans Yoshihito Nishioka.Kyrgios beat fifth-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3, and Nishioka topped Argentinas Horacio Zeballos 6-4, 6-4 to reach his first tour semifinal.Ive been working on my serve a lot. More percentage, more power, the 20-year-old Nishioka said. And before I was very emotional, throwing rackets and getting frustrated. But Ive been more calm since Wimbledon. 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