Roddick returns for US

Roddick, whose record for America of 31-11 is bettered only by John McEnroe, will join up with the squad in the Chile for a first-round tie on the red clay of Santiago on March 4-6.

It will be Jim Courier's first match in the charge after he took over the captaincy from Patrick McEnroe.

"I'm very excited to be back," Roddick said. "Davis Cup is something you should commit to for the entire season and not when it's convenient.

"Trying to win the Davis Cup again is a top priority for me in the 2011.

"I look forward to working with Jim next season.

"It will be strange to be sitting next to someone other than Patrick on the bench, but I have a great deal of respect for Jim."

Courier added: "Having Andy commit to the 2011 campaign is huge for our team.

"Andy not only brings his outstanding Davis Cup record but also his experience and team leadership, which will be invaluable to our efforts."

Oscar itching for Haye-Klitschko

Oscar de la Hoya says a megafight between David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko HAS to be happen.

The head of the Golden Boy, who have tie-up with the WBA heavyweight champion, says he has what it takes to beat the giant Ukrainian - or his older brother Vitali.

Rumours that a deal is being thrashed out between Haye and Wladimir have been rife since the IBF and WBO boss pulled out of this Saturday's world-title defence with another Brit, Dereck Chisora, due to a back problem.

Chisora and his promoter Frank Warren say they will get the fight re-arranged and have dismissed the notion that they will accept step-aside money to make way for a unification fight.

Ravens lead Steelers 10-3 after 3rd quarter

Joe Flacco threw for 202 yards and a touchdown, Billy Cundiff kicked a 24-yard field goal and the Baltimore Ravens led the Pittsburgh Steelers 10-3 after three quarters Sunday night.

After being blanked in the first half for the first time this season, the Steelers got on the scoreboard with a 45-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham on the first drive of the second half.

Steelers tight end Heath Miller sustained a concussion with 2:24 left in the third period after he collided with the cornerback Chris Carr on a short pass and was ruled out for the game. Four plays later, offensive tackle Flozell Adams limped off the field with an ankle injury.

Both teams entered the game tied for first place in the AFC North with 8-3 records.

Anquan Boldin caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Flacco with 1:59 left in the opening period — the only scoring in a physical first half.

Flacco was 11 for 22, including a 61-yard pass to Boldin and a 67-yarder to Donte' Stallworth.

Pittsburgh punter Daniel Sepulveda injured his right knee, forcing the Steelers to use Suisham as a punter on a fourth-and-10 from the Baltimore 38 late in the first half.

McDowell upstages Woods in season finale

Tiger Wood delivered a vintage moment, dropping an 8-iron from the sky on the final hole Sunday inside 3 feet for what looked to be a sure victory.

Just not this year.

The clutch shots and happy endings belonged to U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell.

McDowell capped off his greatest season with the biggest comeback ever against the Woods. He rallied from a four-shot deficit in the Chevron World Challenge, then upstaged Woods at his own tournament.

McDowell holed a 20-foot birdie putt to force a playoff, then beat Woods on the first extra hole with another birdie from a little bit longer.

"They're the kind of putts that you make them, and you can't really believe it afterwards," McDowell said. "They were the stuff of dreams — 2010 has been the stuff of dreams. It's been that kind of year."

Woods might have known what to expect, considering how his year has gone.

Without a trophy for the first time since he can remember, Woods appeared ready to embark on a new chapter after a year of the personal turmoil and shocking scores. A four-shot lead turned into a two-shot deficit. He rallied to tie McDowell, then watched the U.S. Open champion deliver the winning shots.

It was the first time Woods has lost a tournament when leading by at least three shots going into the final round.

And it was the first time anyone could recall Woods feeling good after a loss.

Boxing: No more Mr Nice Burns

Burns is scheduled to fight against the Andreas Evensen at the Braehead Arena at the weekend and according to his trainer Billy Nelson, he keeps all his aggression for the ring.

He told to Press Association Sport: "Ricky's confidence is sky high as it would be after winning the world title.

"But the one thing about Ricky Burns is that, unlike many other fighters,

he is a very level headed and respectful.

"Inside the ring is his place of work but it's great watching him sparring.

"I have seen Ricky absolutely punch lumps out of people in sparring and he gives them a big hug and cuddle after it.

"He goes out of the way to thank them for sparring with him - but that's just Ricky.

"His preparation for this fight has gone really well, the same as for the Martinez fight.

"We got some great sparring partners in and Ricky looked absolutely fantastic."

Evensen is the current WBO intercontinental featherweight champion and has won 13 of his 14 fights, the last four by knockout.

The 24-year-old believes he will create as big a shock by beating Burns as the Scotsman did when he took the belt with a points win over Martinez.

"Martinez is a banger, he is strong and he has knocked out many of his opponents so it was a good performance from Ricky to win the title," Evensen said.

Burns hot on first defence

The Scot makes the first defence of his WBO super-featherweight title against the Norwegian, who has never been beyond eight rounds.

And Burns, who has been revelling in the recent Arctic conditions, believes he will have too much firepower for his 24-year-old foe.

"We're used to a bit of cold up here, but I'm going to turn the heat up on Evensen on Saturday," he said.

"He's going to find himself in a blizzard of punches - and there is no way he'll be able to dig himself out.

"My trainer Billy Nelson asked me if I wanted the heaters on at the gym the other day. But I told him I'll quite happily work up a head of steam all by myself.

"I've been running in the snow, real Rocky stuff, but as the old saying goes, no pain, no gain.

"The mercury might be falling outside, but at the Braehead Arena on Saturday the battle will be white hot, and believe me, Evensen's in big trouble."

Easy win for Djokovic

The Serbian cruised to a 6-3 6-3 win, gaining a measure of revenge for his Wimbledon semi-final defeat to Berdych in the same city earlier this year.

The world number six has suffered from a poor form since that breakthrough victory, however, and produced another error-strewn display on Monday.

Djokovic got off to the best possible start as he secured a break of serve in the first game of the match.

He then had four more break-point opportunities in a marathon third game but Berdych edged it to get on the board.

New injury worry for Scots

The preparations to the match at the Pittodrie have been bordering on farcical after almost half of Scotland's squad pulled out, prompting the Scottish Football Association to announce six call-ups on Sunday.

St Johnstone midfielder Davidson and Paul Caddis were additional call-ups on Monday morning, but Levein has since revealed in his pre-match press conference that the former is suffering with an ankle injury.

Wigan midfielder James McArthur and Motherwell defender Steven Saunders have therefore been asked to travel up to Aberdeen in case Davidson cannot shake off his injury.

"Murray Davidson is here and has a slight ankle knock," said Levein. "We'll see how he trains tonight. He is the only one I've got any concerns about.

"We've asked James McArthur to join the squad just in case something happens to Murray and he can't be involved.

"James will join us this afternoon and if Murray does make it we will just have an extra young player in the squad."

Levein has also revealed there were another five players unable to accept a late call-up because of injury, but he has also insisted the match was not a waste to time.

Harrison faces BBBC probe

Harrison barely threw a punch before being stopped in three rounds, with the 39-year-old being criticised for his performance.

And the British Board of Boxing of Control have confirmed that they will now "have to consider" withholding some or all of Harrison's purse for the fight.

"It is a very difficult course to take to stop someone getting paid when they have just frozen," said BBBC secretary Robert Smith.

"But rescinding some of the Audley Harrison's purse is something which we will have to consider.

"You have to bear in mind it was such a letdown for the 22,000 at the MEN Arena and the thousands watching at home.

"The board have rescinded purses when we feel a fighter has not tried. He did nothing all night.

"I think it would be extremely harsh to withhold money from him. However, the board will look at it when all the reports come in. But I wouldn't have thought so."

David Haye three stone lighter

The WBA champion tipped the scales at the 15st ½lb, his lowest weight yet as a heavyweight at Friday's weigh-in at the Lowry Theatre in the Manchester.

Harrison, in contrast, was just two pounds lighter than his career heaviest, at a whopping 18st 1½lbs - a daunting 42½lbs heavier.

With Lennox Lewis in the attendance, the challenger was first on the scales and was booed by some sections of the 1,000-strong crowd.

David Haye came in second sporting a t-shirt with 'No You Can't' emblazoned across the front and literally hopped and off the scales. He kept that off for the rest of the weigh-in, while Harrison was quick to put his back on.

When MC Gary Logan read out Haye's weight there was an audible gasp, but the champion insists his lightness does not mean he is going to hit and run as he did with Nikolai Valuev.

"Adam (Booth) said before we started training that if I hit all of my targets in the gym, if I did all the training that he wanted me to do and I didn't get any injuries that I would come in at around 15 stone," he said.

Lewis Hamilton fastest in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice

Lewis Hamilton laid down a marker for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by producing the fastest lap in the Friday practice.

The McLaren driver, who has a slim chance of winning the title in the Sunday's season-ending race, went round in one minute, 40.888 seconds at Yas Marina.

Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, third in the standings, was second quickest with a 1:41.145 while Ferrari's championship leader Fernando Alonso was third.

Vettel's team-mate Mark Webber was 0.427 seconds off the pace in the fourth.

With teams not obliged to reveal the exact fuel loads their cars are carrying during practice, it is difficult to read too much into the results.

But it does appear that McLaren may have the pace to match Red Bull and Ferrari come race day and that is essential if Hamilton is to have any hope of lifting his second Formula 1 crown.

The Englishman sits fourth in the drivers' championship, 24 points adrift of Alonso with 25 awarded for a win.

So he must triumph on Sunday and pray that Alonso finishes out of the scoring, or his dreams are over for another year.

For Alonso, who has won three of the last five races, the situation is far more desirable. Finish first or second and the title is his. He is bidding for a third drivers' championship and his first for Ferrari.

If, however, Alonso finishes third or worse, victory for Webber would see the 34-year-old Australian clinch his maiden title. Webber is currently second in the standings, eight points behind Alonso.

Vettel won in Brazil last time out to keep himself in with a shout but, in trailing Alonso by 15 points, he needs to win and hope the Spaniard finishes fifth or worse.

Drogba looking forward

The Ivory Coast international started on Sunday's 2-0 loss at Liverpool on the bench following concerns over his fitness, but he is expected to be named in the starting XI for his side's meeting with the Fulham on Wednesday.

Drogba is relieved to finally have his illness resolved and is now itching to return to scoring ways in the league, having not netted since 3rd October versus Arsenal

He told the club's official website: "When you don't know exactly what it is and it's not treated it can come and go, and you have some weeks when the fever can be high, so that's what I had, but now it will be better.

"Unfortunately we only found out [on Monday] it was malaria, but it was for a month now. Now we know exactly what it is so we can go forward."

He added: "Obviously I want to score every game, but when you can't, when you're not 100 per cent, it's better to try a way to help your team-mates, maybe creating assists, maybe defending a little bit more, it's not a problem for me.

"I think I'll get better and start to score again, and if that's what people want I think I can do that!"

Meanwhile, Blues winger Florent Malouda is eager for a rapid response by his side following their setback against Liverpool.

Murray battles back in Paris masters

Andy Murray fought back from a set down to beat the David Nalbandian and move into the third round of the Paris Masters.

The Scot was caught cold at the start of the match as his opponent dominated proceedings both from the back of the court and up at the net.

Opting to change his tactics after losing a one-sided first set, Murray played his way back into the match as he looked to dictate from the net whenever possible.

It paid dividends as he pinched a tight second set and he finished it strongly in the decider to triumph 2-6 6-4 6-3.

"Yeah, it was very difficult," he told afterwards. "I had to change my game completely.

"I had to serve and volley pretty much the whole of the second set because I couldn't win a point from the back of the court - he was moving me around everywhere.

"Maybe it's something I need to look to do more often.

Lakers can win 73

If you’ve followed the NBA long enough, you know there’s a talent requirement that the past champions have had on their way to glory.

The number is 2.5.

With the exception of the 2004 Pistons, you can make the case that whatever team was left standing at the end had two legitimate stars, plus one major contributor on the roster. As Nate McMillan attested Sunday, the Lakers clearly have the number covered and then some.

Following the thrashing of his Trail Blazers by the league’s racing-fuel-octane-level offense, the Blazers’ coach offered up a statement that left no room for interpretation.

"Lamar Odom, right now, he’s an All-Star," said McMillan.

Throw in Steve Blake, Matt Barnes and a new-and-improved Shannon Brown to the already-solid rotation and it looks as though the Lakers have a serious shot at a league-record 73 wins.

Lakers have the fewest set of the back-to-backs (15) and don't truly face a test until Miami brings its show to town on Christmas Day.

So if the Lakers can stay healthy and continue clicking on all cylinders, who's really going to stop them?

Brandon Roy, Portland’s All-Star guard who was harassed by Ron Artest into a miserable 1-of-6 shooting night on Sunday, was clearly frustrated at his performance after the Blazers' 129-96 meltdown in L.A.

Fernando Alonso has F1 title in his own hands

Fernando Alonso has the championship lead on his side as he aims to clinch the Formula One (F1) world title in a historic finale Sunday in the Abu Dhabi.

But in a season of the roller-coaster rides for all the stars, Red Bull drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton are also in the frame.

It is the first time in the F1 history that four drivers are in the title race ahead of the season-ender.

A simple engine failure in Alonso's Ferrari could for instance open the door for the others, he may be shunted off the track by another driver, make a mistake himself or have yet another negative experience with the safety car as has happened already three times this season.

However, Alonso has a third career title in his own hands as the championship leader. He has amassed 246 points from 18 of 19 races, with Webber on 238, Vettel on 231 and Hamilton on 222.

Under the current system, the top 10 drivers get points in a 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1 format.

Alonso has done his maths and says 'I just need to finish second. It does not matter who wins in Abu Dhabi if I finish second'.

The Spaniard can also afford third place if Webber does not win, and fourth or fifth if Webber and Vettel do not win.

Webber will secure the trophy if he wins and Alonso comes no better than third. A team order of sorts may be used if Vettel leads from Webber and Alonso in the final lap, as Ferrari also ordered Felipe Massa to let Alonso pass for victory at the German GP.

NFL Giants smash Seahawks

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=42ad973d-c35d-48dc-ba94-f35708a0a010" target="_new" title="">NFL on FOX: Giants smash Seahawks</a>

Valentino Rossi third in Valencia MotoGP

Valentino Rossi ended his Yamaha career on the podium in the Valencia yesterday, but the Italian was unable to clinch a fairytale farewell as he was overshadowed by bitter rival and with Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Rossi was in contention for an emotional final victory and the 47th of his Yamaha career when he suddenly started to fade with the Lorenzo and Aussie Casey Stoner dicing for the lead.

The 31-year-old though blamed a lack of fitness for his failure to sustain his challenge as his training regime has been badly affected by the damaged right shoulder he suffered in a motocross training accident in the April.

Rossi, who will ride for Ducati in 2011 and is due to make his debut tomorrow (Tuesday) in Valencia, said: “It was a great race for me because we suffered too much during the practice and I think it is one of the best races of my career at the Valencia.

"I lost time at the start but I had a good grip from the beginning so I could push. I did some good passes and when I arrived in third place I was able to come back on Casey and Dani (Pedrosa). I made some great lap times and at that moment I think maybe it is possible to win the race. But Jorge rode ride very well.

"I was behind him and we were behind Casey, but unfortunately for the last laps I’m not at the maximum. I’m not fit, so I start to lose power to the right hand and then to the left and then to the leg. So I need more distance to stop the bike and I started to make some mistakes behind Jorge.

"I was running wide and I have to slow down. If you are not 100 per cent with this level it is impossible to win. But the podium is great and I kept third position in the championship.”

Rossi will test for Ducati this week before he goes for surgery on the shoulder that troubled him throughout the entire season.

He said: “Next Monday or Tuesday I will do the surgery. It will be quite a long time to recover and hard work but I hope to be quite fit for the first test in Sepang and if I will not be at 100 per cent I hope to be at the maximum for the first race of the next season.”

Giants Give City by the Bay Its Long-Awaited Title

Buster Posey caught the final strike, started to rush the mound, then stopped and turned toward the dugout.

The rookie catcher wasn't quite sure what to do or where to go. Hard to blame him, either. It's not as if the San Francisco Giants win the World Series every day.

More than a half-century after moving West, the Giants are taking the trophy to the city by the Bay for the first time. Tim Lincecum was wicked on the mound, Edgar Renteria broke a scoreless duel with a three-run homer in the seventh inning and San Francisco beat the Texas Rangers 3-1 in a tense Game 5 Monday night.

The prize that eluded Willie and Barry for so long finally belongs to San Francisco, thanks to a band of self-described castoffs and misfits and their shaggy-haired ace.

"World Series champs, 2010. Can you believe this?" October ace Matt Cain said.

Lampard to face Reds

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti expects Frank Lampard to be available for their weekend clash with the Liverpool.

The influential 32-year-old England international has missed the club's last 11 matches with a groin injury.

The Blues have maintained their fine form even without Lampard, but they have now received a shot in the arm ahead of the Sunday's mouth-watering trip to the Anfield.

Ancelotti is ruling Lampard out of featuring in the Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow as the fixture is too soon.

The Italian is relishing having the creative midfielder back among his ranks, stating he is likely to come straight into his starting XI.

Ana Ivanovic splits with her coach

Former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic has parted ways with her coach Heinz Gunthardt.

The Serbian ended a two-year title drought at the Linz Open in the October but is keen to have a full-time coach at her side.

Gunthardt, who forged his reputation with the Steffi Graf, had been working with Ivanovic since February alongside his commitments as a television analyst.

Ivanovic was world number one shortly after her Roland Garros triumph in the 2008 but her game deserted her and she slipped to a low of 65th in the rankings last July.

The 22-year-old appeared to have turned the corner when triumphing in the Linz and is now looking to take her comeback to the next level.

Rossi satisfied with podium and now aiming for final win

The Fiat Yamaha rider finished second in the bwin Grande Premio de Portugal and is now determined to win his final race with the team at the Valencia next weekend.

Valentino Rossi’s ninth podium result of the season in the bwin Grande Premio de Portugal on Sunday gave the Italian great satisfaction, after a step into the unknown in terms of the track conditions at the Estoril.

After spending the weekend practicing in the wet conditions the race was a dry affair, and the switch between set-ups did not hold the 31 year-old back from pushing hard as he finished second behind team-mate Jorge Lorenzo having challenged the Spaniard.

"Like I said yesterday, a wet warm up and a dry race is a difficult one! I am happy about this weekend, we worked really well on the bike on the wet and this morning I was the fastest in the warm up, if it had been a wet race I could have been very competitive,” said Rossi.

“For the dry we started blind so I had to try to take some risks at the beginning because the setting was okay, but it was not enough because when Jorge got into his rhythm he was faster than me, I had no way to fight with him. I tried to stay with him but he was too fast.”

With Casey Stoner crashing out Rossi now sits third in the Championship, 19 points behind Dani Pedrosa with the final round in Valencia next weekend.

Romo Breaks Collarbone, Cowboys Fall to Giants

Tony Romo's season might be over, and the Dallas Cowboys' season might as well be.

As for Eli Manning and the New York Giants, everything's clicking.

Romo broke his left collarbone in the second quarter, then his teammates let a 13-point lead turn into a 41-35 loss Monday night that helps send both teams in opposite directions in the NFC East.

The Giants (5-2) won their fourth straight and moved a full game ahead in the division.

Dallas slumped to 1-5, its worst start since in 1989. That was the year Jerry Jones bought the team, Jimmy Johnson took over as coach and the Cowboys went 1-15. Everyone knew that team would stink. This club, however, had Super Bowl hopes.

Any chance of turning this season around ended when Romo was drilled by blitzing linebacker Michael Boley in the second quarter. Recovery time is generally 8 to 10 weeks and, by then, there may not be any reason to rush back.

Romo went down hard on his left shoulder and remained flat on his back. X-rays showed the break before halftime, but he was back on the sideline for the second half, his arm in a sling and covered by a jacket. He wore a headset and trying to encourage teammates, but there wasn't much to cheer about.

Miami's Big Three Open NBA Season in Boston

LeBron James is back in the Boston, where his NBA championship quest ended twice in the last three years.

The former Cleveland superstar was practicing at the TD Garden with his new team, the Miami Heat, in preparation for the Tuesday night's NBA opener against the Celtics. James did not talk to the media, but when a dozen cameras surrounded him to film him icing his right knee, he said he felt like he was in a fishbowl.

Boston knocked James and the Cavaliers out of the playoffs on its way to the 2008 NBA title, and again last year. The Celtics also eliminated the Heat last spring, setting them on their rebuilding path.

The Heat signed James and Chris Bosh as free agents to play along with Dwyane Wade, creating a superteam and expectations of winning a championship.

Race - Alonso wins in the Korean Grand Prix, double DNF for Red Bull

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso scored one of the biggest wins of his career in a rain-affected Korean Grand Prix on the Sunday afternoon, and a day of total disaster saw neither Red Bull driver finish. Mark Webber crashed out early while running second, and Sebastian Vettel’s engine blew up as he was leading on the 46th lap.

The result puts Alonso into an 11-point championship lead over Webber, 231 to 220, with just two races left.

As dusk fell and the race was just completed before the two-hour cut-off point, what had begun as impending disaster for the Korean race organisers turned instead into a brilliant triumph. But it was edgy. After the rain got heavier just before the start, the race was red-flagged after just two laps had been run behind the safety car. That led to a lengthy delay until it was resumed as conditions got marginally better, but after the restart at 16.05 the safety car continued to lead the field for another 15 laps before racing finally began on the 18th.

Vettel sprinted into the lead from Webber with Alonso third and Mercedes GP’s Nico Rosberg deposing McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton for fourth. But then Webber spun and hit the wall in Turn 13 on the 19th lap, collecting Rosberg. Out came the safety car again until Lap 24, whereupon Vettel resumed control ahead of Alonso and Hamilton.

After their pit stops between Laps 31 and 32, Hamilton jumped Alonso for thew second as the Spaniard had a minor delay due to arriving slightly sideways and making it difficult for mechanics to reach the right front wheel, but they were racing under the safety car again after Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi had taken out Virgin’s Timo Glock on the 31st under braking for Turn Three.

As racing resumed on the 35th lap, Hamilton ran wide in Turn One as his front wheels were locking, handing second back to Alonso. And that’s how it seemed likely to stay as Vettel built a lead of 2.7s by Lap 41. But then Alonso and Hamilton began to move in, and going into Turn One on Lap 46 the Ferrari dived inside the Red Bull to take the lead. On the exit to the corner Vettel’s engine blew, and as Mark Webber breathed a sigh of some relief, Red Bull had their head in their hands.

Now it was Alonso’s race to lose, but though Hamilton gave it everything he had, annihilating the Ferrari in the first two sectors, Alonso was able to make it all back in the final one. Towards the end Hamilton dropped back, keeping a badly worn right front intermediate tyre alive, and was 14.9s adrift as a delighted Alonso took his fifth win of the year and his 26th overall.

Packers Pick Off Favre, Beat Vikings 28-24

It looked like one of the Brett Favre's old comebacks with the Green Bay Packers, and now he'd done it to them. At Lambeau Field, too.

Then came a replay review that wiped out the Minnesota Vikings' touchdown -- and finally a win for the Packers over their former quarterback.

Favre threw three second-half interceptions and the Packers held on to beat the Vikings 28-24 on Sunday night.

"It's devastating," Favre said. "I don't know how else to put it. I take a lot of pride and the ownership in all phases of the game. You've got the ball in your hand, you hope to win those. You just feel like you let everybody down."

Favre appeared to deliver another signature comeback win with an apparent touchdown strike to Percy Harvin with 48 seconds left -- but the score was overturned when a replay review determined the wide receiver came down with one foot out of bounds.

Down to his last chance on fourth-and-15 at the 20, Favre threw incomplete.

"A little payback don't hurt," linebacker Desmond Bishop said.

Green Bay turned Favre's two third-quarter interceptions into touchdowns that erased the Vikings' halftime lead, including a 32-yard return by Bishop. It was the ninth interception that was returned for a touchdown in the league on Sunday.

A.J. Hawk and Nick Collins also picked off errant passes by Favre.

"You can't throw it to them, you've got to play within the confines of our system," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "Sometimes it's OK to punt the football. You can't give seven points going the other way, not in a game like this."

Favre came up limping after throwing the interception to Hawk early in the third quarter. Childress said he "did have a thought" about taking Favre out of the game but never approached him about it.

NLCS: Giants go up 3-1 after thrilling Game 4 win

uan Uribe wasn’t supposed to play on Wednesday, and Roy Oswalt wasn’t supposed to pitch Wednesday.

But there they were, squaring off in the ninth inning of a 5-5 game at AT&T Park, in the most important at-bat of what was probably the best game of the entire postseason. The Giants had two runners on the base -- Aubrey Huff at third, Buster Posey at first -- and there was only one out in the inning.

Uribe was at the plate, Oswalt was on the mound.

Uribe wasn’t supposed to play because of the sore left wrist that kept him out of Game 2 of the NLCS vs. the Phillies, the same sore left wrist that contributed to an 0-for-3 night in Game 3 that dropped his postseason average to .095 (2-for-21). As the game developed, though, manager Bruce Bochy made several double-switches, and Uribe thought his number might be called, sore wrist and all.

“I tried to be ready for something to happen,” Uribe said.

Oswalt wasn’t supposed to pitch because he was the Phillies’ Game 2 starter -- he allowed just three hits and one run in eight outstanding innings -- and was scheduled to start again if the series made it to Game 6. But Joe Blanton failed to last five innings Wednesday, and as the Phillies started churning through the pitchers in the rapid succession, a thought crept into Oswalt’s mind.

“I thought I could eat up an inning,” Oswalt said. “Maybe save Brad (Lidge) from having to go out and pitch without a save opportunity.”

Report: Knicks making strides on Melo trade

According to the report, the Knicks reentered the trade talks about two weeks ago, after a proposed four-team deal with the Denver, the New Jersey Nets, the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz collapsed and after Denver hired salary cap consultant Pete D'Alessandro.

New York has been offering various packages that include center Eddy Curry's expiring contract, forward Anthony Randolph and a first-round draft pick that would need to be acquired from another team. New York also has become more willing in the recent days to deal forward Danilo Gallinari, ESPN.com reports.

Denver, however, would prefer a better player than Randolph or Gallinari. A source tells ESPN.com the Knicks are now confident they can acquire such a player and remove that obstacle. The ESPN.com report does not say what the Knicks will give up to acquire that player.

Anthony, who was born in Brooklyn, reportedly has made it clear to Nuggets management that he wants to be traded to the Knicks or Bulls. He can become a free agent after this season and is not willing to accept with Denver's offer of a three-year, $65 million extension.

A source tells ESPN.com Chicago remains in the mix for Melo, but it lost a potential trade chip when it signed center Joakim Noah to a long-term extension.

Woman files Ohio lawsuit over LeBron James pendant

A woman says in an Ohio lawsuit that she was threatened into giving a LeBron James jersey pendant worth about $10,000 to the mother of the NBA star's business manager.

Vaneisha Robinson filed the lawsuit last month in the Medina County. She says she turned over the diamond-encrusted pendant out of fear for her safety.

The pendant depicts the jersey James wore with the Cleveland Cavaliers before he went to the Miami Heat. Maverick Carter, CEO of James' marketing company, says it was stolen from him three years ago.

Robinson says the pendant was in a box of items she bought for $5 at a garage sale about five years ago. She claims Katherine Powers lured her to her home by saying that she wanted to buy it and that James would be there.

Powers and Carter have denied the accusations in a court filing. A call to the marketing company's publicist after business hours Tuesday was not immediately returned.

Rangers Rout Yanks, Take 3-1 Lead in ALCS

No disputing this: The Texas Rangers are routing the New York Yankees and now just one win from their first trip to the World Series.

Bengie Molina hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off the A.J. Burnett in the sixth inning, Josh Hamilton added a pair of the solo drives to give him four in four games and the Rangers battered the Yankees 10-3 Tuesday night for a 3-1 lead in the AL championship series.

On a night of the contested homers, Texas left no doubt with its long shots. Fans started streaming out of the Yankee Stadium as the Rangers pulled away in the late innings.

It was a costly loss, too, for the defending World Series champion Yankees. All-Star first baseman Mark Teixeira limped off in the fifth inning with a strained right hamstring. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said the team would likely will replace Teixeira on the roster with the infielder Eduardo Nunez.

Game 5 Wednesday will have a rematch of starters from the opener, with the Yankees' CC Sabathia against C.J. Wilson. Since the LCS went to a best-of-seven format, 24 of the 30 previous teams to take 3-1 series leads have won pennants.

While the Yankees are seeking a record 41st pennant, Texas is trying to reach its first World Series since the franchise started play as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961.

Instead of trying to avoid the Cliff Lee, the Yankees can only hope to force a Game 7 and face him again.

Aiming for a Series matchup against San Francisco or Philadelphia, Texas has outscored the Yankees 30-11, outhit them 43-26 and would have swept if not for wasting a five-run lead in the opener. Nelson Cruz hit the last of Texas' four homers, a two-run drive that gave the Rangers seven homers in the series and 15 in the postseason.

Report: Mike Tyson Being Sued for $25 Million by Photographer

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is being sued for $25 million by a photographer who claims the boxer hit him with a closed fist in the November 2009.

Antonio Echavarria says he suffered a concussion and strain on his spinal cord after Tyson hit him and broke his camera at the Los Angeles International Airport.

Tyson was arrested following the incident, but the L.A. City Attorney’s office rejected the case, citing “insufficient evidence.”

Monday’s civil lawsuit seeks $25 million for the assault and battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Widely recognized as one of the sport's hardest hitters, Tyson’s dynamic rise to boxing fame has been largely overshadowed by the events outside of the ring.

Tyson served three years in prison after being convicted of raping beauty contestant Desiree Washington in 1991.

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Rangers Rout Yanks, 8-0, Take Lead in ALCS

Cliff Lee was even better than before in the postseason, and that was no small feat.

The ace of October went through the New York Yankees like a buzzsaw again, striking out 13 and pitching the Texas Rangers to an 8-0 victory Monday night for a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven AL championship series.

Josh Hamilton hit an early two-run homer off Andy Pettitte and started a six-run outburst in the ninth with a leadoff double. Lee allowed only two singles in eight innings and became the first pitcher to reach the double digits in the strikeouts three times in one postseason.

Mr. Automatic improved to 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA in eight postseason starts. Three of those wins have come against the power-packed Yankees, including two in last year's World Series for Philadelphia

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New York won the other four games to take home its 27th championship, but now faces a tall task if it plans to repeat. The Yankees must win three straight against the resilient Rangers to advance without facing Lee in a decisive Game 7 at the Texas.

Game 4 is Tuesday night and the Yankees say they will start struggling right-hander A.J. Burnett, who hasn't pitched since Oct. 2. Tommy Hunter goes for Texas in his first career start at Yankee Stadium.

Pettitte, the ol' pro seeking his 20th postseason win, did his best to match Lee. But the longtime New York left-hander hung a first-inning breaking ball that Hamilton yanked over the short porch in the right for his second homer of the series.

Texas broke it open in the ninth against an ineffective David Robertson, getting RBI singles from Nelson Cruz and Bengie Molina, plus a two-run single by Mitch Moreland.