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.

Murray beats Federer to win Shanghai Masters

Andy Murray defeated an error-prone Roger Federer 6-3, 6-2 Sunday to win the Shanghai Masters for his second title of the year.

Murray broke the Swiss player's serve four times while fighting off six break points. He also served the six aces, while Federer had three.

Murray didn't drop a set in the tournament and now has beaten Federer eight times in the 13 meetings, including the last two. Murray's win Sunday was the most lopsided match the two have played.

"I love the challenge of playing against him. I don't fear playing him," Murray said. "I don't know if my game matches up well against his or not, but I've played some of my best tennis against Roger."

Federer will rise to become the second-ranked player as a result of reaching the final. He was attempting to win his 64th career title, which would have tied him with Pete Sampras for fourth on the all-time list.

After easily beating Robin Soderling in the quarterfinals and Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, Federer struggled to keep the ball in play against the Murray, particularly on the forehand side.

Federer hit three forehand errors and a double-fault to give Murray a break in the first game of the match. The Scot then broke Federer a second time to win the set by chasing down a drop shot and flicking a forehand into the open court for a winner.

"I got a lot of free points on my serve," Murray said. "I didn't give him any chances to go for it. I threw some with a lot of kick on, some slice, some into his forehand."

Lakers beat Nuggets 102-95

Kobe Bryant had 18 points and eight rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter and Lamar Odom teamed with four Los Angeles Lakers reserves to help preserve a 17-point lead and hold off the Denver Nuggets for a 102-95 exhibition victory on Saturday night.

Odom and reserve Devin Ebanks each had 14 points for the Lakers, who returned to Staples Center for the first time since beating the Boston Celtics in the Game 7 of the NBA finals on June 17 to win their second straight championship and 16th in the franchise history.

Six Nuggets scored in the double digits, including the former UCLA star Aaron Afflalo with 20. Carmelo Anthony, the subject of non-stop trade speculation ever since he thumbed his nose at a three-year, $65 million extension the Nuggets offered him in June, was rested by coach George Karl after getting 30 points and 24 rebounds Thursday night in a 100-95 victory over the Clippers.

Anderson suffers rib injury

England's pace spearhead James Anderson is set to be fit for the opening Ashes Test despite cracking a rib during the team's recent boot camp.

The England squad took part in a five-day bonding camp in the Germany following the conclusion of their series against Pakistan two weeks ago and some of the drills included boxing sessions between team-mates.

Anderson, though, took a heavy blow to the ribs during one of the sessions - cracking a rib in a process

And although initial reports suggested this would make him a doubt for the first two Ashes Tests which start on November 25 in Brisbane and December 3 in the Adelaide respectively, the ECB has allayed the fears.

A statement read: "The ECB can confirm James Anderson sustained a cracked rib during England's recent preparation camp in Germany.

"Anderson is continuing his training programme ahead of the Ashes tour and will fly out to Australia with England's Test squad on October 29.

"It is anticipated that he will be fit and available for selection for the first Test match against Australia in Brisbane."

Pedrosa taking it step by step

The Repsol Honda rider was back on his RC212V for the first time two weeks to the day after fracturing his collarbone, as he took to the track for the FP1 at the Iveco Australian Grand Prix.

Dani Pedrosa took the next step in his recovery from his fractured collarbone on Friday when he made his return to the action in the opening practice session at the Phillip Island. The Repsol Honda rider completed just seven laps as he took an understandably cautious approach to testing his comfort level on his factory RC212V in the wet conditions.

“The plan today was simply to check my condition on the bike – in these conditions I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks. What I can say is that I had some strength to move on the bike and put pressure on the handlebars which is good,” explained the 25 year-old.

“However, I didn’t feel very comfortable with the leathers because they were tight and there was pressure but even with that I could do some laps and tomorrow I will try again – we will go step-by-step. Now it’s quite painful but we will see how the pain goes through the night and tomorrow we will take another step. We knew it wouldn’t be easy but I just hope that the effort is worth it in the end.”

Adverse weather conditions overnight made the first practice on the Friday a wet affair and Pedrosa is hoping for an improved physical feeling in Saturday’s second session before qualifying.

“To ride in wet conditions is more smooth than in the dry, but also more risky. The asphalt today was very, very cold and here it’s a problem because on the right hand turns you don’t have any grip at all,” continued Pedrosa. “The hardest point was braking, changing direction and in the right hand corners because I have to stretch my arms a lot, but I hope we can work a little bit on the leathers to make it more comfortable for tomorrow. Afterwards I went to the Clinica Mobile and they told me that now I need to relax the muscles. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”

Pedrosa secured his first Phillip Island premier class podium with third place in last year’s race.

British Judge Rules Against Owners in Liverpool Dispute

A British judge ruled against Liverpool's American owners Wednesday, clearing the way for the sale of the debt-ridden Premier League club after a bitter boardroom battle.

The owners of the Boston Red Sox and a Singapore billionaire are both bidding to buy the club, with a decision expected by the Liverpool board on Wednesday night.

High Court Judge Christopher Floyd ruled that current Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. do not have the power to oust the boardroom rivals who sanctioned the sale.

The board agreed last week, against the wishes of Hicks and Gillett, to sell the club to New England Sports Ventures for $476 million.

The New England group, which runs the Red Sox and is headed by financier John Henry, welcomed Wednesday's court ruling as a "huge step forward" for Liverpool.

The company said it has a "binding agreement in place" with the Liverpool board and looks forward to concluding the deal.

Lee Fans 11, Carries Texas Into ALCS

ST. PETERSBURG, -- The Texas Rangers mobbed Cliff Lee in front of the pitcher's mound before trotting off to the clubhouse for a celebration of 50 seasons in the making.

Champagne was on ice, but first the AL West champions slipped on the red T-shirts, fitted themselves with the goggles and toasted the first playoff series victory in the franchise history with plastic bottles of ginger ale.

The bubbly flowed only after Josh Hamilton left the room.

The major league batting champion, who overcame alcohol and drug problems to revive his career, appreciated the show of the support.

"I'm speechless. This is so unbelievable," Hamilton said Tuesday night after the Rangers beat Tampa Bay 5-1 in the decisive Game 5 of the AL division series.

"For my teammates to understand why I can't be part of the celebration, for them to adapt it, it's amazing," he added. "It shows a lot about them."

Cliff Lee added another impressive line to his sparkling October resume, striking out 11 in a six-hitter that stopped the Rays from finishing an improbable comeback in a series in which the road team won every game -- a first in major league history.

"It was a lot of fun, I know that much," Lee said. "We had our back against the wall today and we came out and performed."

The Rangers will host the defending champion Yankees in the opener of the best-of-seven ALCS on Friday night. Texas' three previous playoff appearances ended with first-round losses to New York, in 1996, '98 and '99.

Shanghai success for Roddick

American No.1 Roddick was leading 6-3 2-1 when unseeded with German Kohlschreiber, who was clearly out of the sorts, called it a day.

"We've all been on the bad side of having to pull out of a match. It's not fun," Roddick said.

Chinese wildcard Bai Yan delighted home fans by causing the shock of the day to defeat the world number 30 Radek Stepanek.

Bai, ranked 465 in the world, converted all the four break points he earned to send the Czech star packing 6-3 6-4.

"It's my first time in a top level tournament, so it's really an unexpected performance for me," said 21-year-old.

Fellow home-grown wildcard Zhang Ze gave Croatian Ivan Ljubicic a scare before the Croatian veteran restored order with a 5-7 6-3 6-4 win.

Spain's David Ferrer bounced back from losing the China Open final 24-hours earlier with a 7-6 6-1 win over Frenchman Michael Llodra.

Roddick's compatriot John Isner narrowly avoided an early exit at the hands of Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot, winning 4-6 7-6 7-6.

PEARCE'S LIONS SQUEEZE INTO THE FINALS

STUART PEARCE'S England Under-21 side secured their place at the next year's European Championship Finals with a gritty 0-0 draw in the Romania.

The early kick-off was always going to provide a real test for the young Lions after their 2-1 first leg success courtesy of the Chris Smalling's late winner.

With danger-man Gabriel Torje pulling the strings, England had to weather plenty of pressure before the final whistle sounded in the Botosani.

Torje forced Frankie Fielding into a save in the very first minute but home keeper Silviu Lung was also worked by the Chelsea striker Danny Sturridge, who replaced Jack Wilshere in the starting line-up.

Sturridge was again thwarted by Lung before good work by Phil Jones and Michael Mancienne snuffed out potential threats at the other end.

Tom Cleverley was unable to get a decent connection on a Ryan Bertrand cross but England were then forced on to the back foot for the remainder of the first half.

Marius Alexe blazed over when Fielding could only parry a Torje effort and the Blackburn keeper kept out Cornel Rapa with a fine stop and then parried away another attempt by the excellent Torje.

The second half saw Romania continue to seek a breakthrough with Torje volleying off target and Fielding twice denying Florin Gardos.

A Cleverley free-kick that worked Lung aside, England were having to see this one out as Stefan Braboianu tried his luck from long distance but again could find no way past Fielding, who survived one nervy moment from a speculative Sabrin Sburlea shot.

There was almost late drama from a Torje corner but Fabrice Muamba eventually cleared and Pearce's charges survived to clinch an impressive 2-1 aggregate victory against the strong opponents that should not be under-estimated.

Serena out for the rest of 2010 after recurrence of foot injury

Serena Williams says she is "devastated" after being ruled out for the rest of 2010 due to a recurrence of her foot injury.

Williams, who is due to be knocked off her world number one ranking by the Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki on Monday, confirmed her absence after pulling out of the Austrian Open at the last minute.

The American superstar initially injured her foot in the July after standing on broken glass in a Munich restaurant.

Her last tournament was Wimbledon, where she claimed her fourth singles title and second grand slam crown of the season.

She reported a problem while training in Florida over the weekend and confirmed on her official website that she will be joining sister Venus in sitting out the rest of 2010.

"I have been training for many weeks to get back to playing tennis as quickly possible since my foot surgery in mid-July," she said.

"Yesterday (Saturday) I learned that I had tried too hard, and did too much too soon.

"After practicing I felt discomfort in my foot and tests by my doctor revealed that I had unfortunately re-strained it, as a result of over training.

"I am likely out for the year now. I was really looking forward to beginning my comeback in Linz, followed by the year-end championships in Doha.

Vettel wins in Japan as Webber extends lead in title race

Sebastian Vettel won the Japanese Grand Prix as Mark Webber finished second to extend his lead in the world title race in a triumphant day for the Red Bulls at Suzuka on Sunday.

It was the perfect result for the team, who dominated the rain-hit race from the opening practice sessions on the Friday with the Vettel securing his second straight win on the circuit.

The German led from pole position ahead of his teammate after they shared the front of the grid from final qualifying earlier in the day. It had been put back after a torrential downpour on Saturday washed out the action.

It was Red Bull's third 1-2 finish of the season but Ferrari's Fernando Alonso put up a brave fight to finish 1.8 seconds behind Webber in third place.

The McLarens of reigning champion Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and fifth, with Hamilton losing more ground in the title race after more problems with his gearbox.

The 2008 champion had suffered a five-place grid penalty after having to change his gearbox in practice and a similar penalty now awaits for the next round in Korea.

Barcelona beats Lakers 92-88

Juan Carlos Navarro scored 25 points to help Barcelona to beat the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers

92-88 in an exhibition on Thursday.

Spanish center Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 24 points but had only one field goal in the second half. His homecoming was spoiled by the Euroleague champion in a game that lived up to the billing of an informal intercontinental showdown.

"You always want to win, but it was an emotional game," Gasol said. "The fans enjoyed it, and the atmosphere was spectacular. We lost, but when your friends win you have to be happy for them."

The Lakers blew a 12-point advantage in the second half and were outplayed down the stretch after the game was tied at 72 midway through the fourth quarter.

"They played much better in the fourth quarter," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, ruing his team's turnovers. "We anticipated they would not take a back seat and that they would be very physical. They did a good job doubling Pau in the second half and making him go to the foul line for his points."

Kobe Bryant played 25 minutes, compared to six on Monday in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he recovers from knee surgery.

He scored 15 points but went 2 for 15 from the field and missed two 3-pointers with a chance to tie the game with under a minute to play.

Bryant said his knee was feeling good, but Jackson said his guard played above his fitness level.

Wide Write: Don't Believe the Favre Hype

Randy Moss has been dealt to the Vikings, while the Bills have traded RB Marshawn Lynch to the Seahawks. Since there usually aren't any significant in-season NFL trades, these deals are like early fantasy football Christmas presents! If you're wondering about the fantasy impact of the two trades, this week's edition of the Wide Write will provide some answers.

As noted previously, each position below will have a list of weekly "must starts" to go along with the usual recommendations. They're players that warrant "no-think" fantasy status due to the talent, workloads or both, regardless of opponent. The lists are subject to change, but additions and deletions will be made sparingly. Also, if a player is ever "removed until further notice," like Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams was last week, it doesn’t mean you need to bench him; it just indicates that his status has become a week-to-week proposition that depends on the rest of your roster.

If you disagree with any of the selections, or want to offer some of your own, please post a comment at the bottom of the page. We’ll be here every Thursday until the end of your fantasy season.

Man, 69, postpones pacemaker to watch game

A 69-year-old Detroit man has put off surgery to install a pacemaker in his chest so he can watch a college football game on the TV this weekend.

Major Hester deferred the procedure scheduled for Thursday until next week, after Saturday's big showdown between No. 18 Michigan and No. 17 Michigan State in Ann Arbor.

The retired office supply clerk is a devout Spartans fan and he can't risk something going wrong on the operating table that would prevent him from seeing the game.

"You never know," Hester told The Detroit News. "It's like going into combat. You may come home alive or you may come home dead."

Hester suffers from cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle is weakened. He says he's willing to take the risk of putting off the surgery.

"Whatever happens, I want to see the game," he said.

Lamar Odom -- Odd Man Out in Spain

Right after the Los Angeles Lakers landed in the Spain on Tuesday -- Pau Gasol took his teammates for a night out in his home country ... everyone except the Lamar Odom.

TMZ has learned ... Odom didn't make it out with the boys because he didn't have a thing to wear -- because when the Lakers' private jet touched down in the Barcelona, his luggage was nowhere to be found.

Apparently, it's not exactly easy for a 6'10", 230-pounder to roll into a store and pick up an outfit at the last minute.

Odom has since been reunited with his baggage ... and all is right with the world.

Soccer match-fixing trial begins in Germany

Four men went on trial in the Germany on Wednesday in connection with a huge soccer match-fixing scandal that may have affected about with 270 games across Europe and Asia, German court officials said.

The men, aged between 32 and 55, are accused of fixing the results of the soccer matches by bribing or otherwise influencing players and referees, then betting on the games, German court officials said.

Players' and referees' bribes were 1.5 million euros (about $2 million) and bets went into the millions, prosecutors said.

"A group of persons appear to have decided to put pressure on players and referees in order to influence the outcome of football games," the state court in Bochum, Germany, said Wednesday.

"In the knowledge of this manipulation they then placed bets in Germany, Austria, England or Asia. Even if these attempts at manipulation weren't successful, the actual placing of the bets may be criminally punishable," said the court where the men are being tried.

for more: soccer match fixing

Playoffs set to start with 3 Cy Young winners

Joe Mauer and the Minnesota Twins need no added motivation to beat the Yankees. They found some wher anyway.

Prepping for their first-round on playoff series, the AL Central champions hung a picture in their clubhouse of the back page of a recent (New York) Daily News that read "Bad news: Yanks must go on road for the playoffs. Good news: They play the Twins. E-Z Pass."

"Yes, we've had our issues with them," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday. "They find a way and that's what we have to do. We have to find a way. We are pretty good at that this year and I expect us to do it."

The time for talking is over and the pressure is on. Everyone knows what's at stake in the October.

Ryan Howard and the Phillies are swinging for their third straight pennant. Texas is trying to win a playoff series for the first time. The wild-card Yankees hope to repeat as World Series champs.

for more: Playoffs start with young winners

Injury blow for the Spain star Torres; Brazil lose defender Alex

Liverpool's Spain striker Fernando Torres may miss the struggling English Premier League club's derby clash with the city rivals Everton later this month after suffering another injury setback.

Torres was forced off the pitch inside the first 10 minutes of Sunday's defeat by Blackpool with a groin injury, and the 26-year-old could now face two weeks on the sidelines.

He has already been ruled out of Spain's Euro 2012 qualifiers at home to Lithuania on Friday and away to Scotland on Tuesday.

"Fernando was assessed at Melwood and underwent a scan this afternoon," Liverpool's head of sports medicine and sports science, Dr Peter Brukner, told the club's official website on Monday.

"He will have intensive treatment over the next couple of weeks, but it is too early to say if he will be fit for the game against Everton."

The former Atletico Madrid star has endured a frustrating year, battling for both form and fitness.

Despite picking up a World Cup winners' medal with Spain in July, Torres' summer ended in disappointing fashion, as he exited the final against Netherlands early through injury after failing to score during the tournament.

He has also struggled to find the net at the start of the 2010-11 Premier League season, scoring just one goal in six matches.

Sharapova suffers early exit in Beijing

Maria Sharapova crashed out of the China Open on Tuesday, with the former world No. 1 suffering her second consecutive early exit.

The 12th seed, beaten in her opening game in the Japan last week, lost to fellow Russian Elena Vesnina in the second round to follow defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and last year's runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska in departing the $4.5 million Beijing event.

Vesnina -- who lost their only other meeting at the 2008 Australian Open, which Sharapova won for her third grand slam title -- triumphed 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 to set up a clash with Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky.

"I'm definitely not as good as I wanted to be," Sharapova told the WTA Tour website. "After the U.S. Open I wasn't able to train as much as I would've wanted to, and I feel like the last couple of weeks I've just been trying to play catch-up.

After the U.S. Open I wasn't able to train as much as I would've wanted to, and I feel like I've been trying to play catch-up

"My rhythm hasn't been where it should be. Obviously it's disappointing, but I've lost and won many matches in my career. I'll just have to regroup and move forward."

The 21-year-old Bacsinszky progressed when eighth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus withdrew with a leg injury, trailing 3-2 in the second set after winning the opener 6-4.

Playoffs set: Giants drop Padres, Braves go wild

A flurry of the tiebreakers, that might've been fun for fans. For the San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves, a guaranteed spot in the playoffs was just fine.

What could've turned into a real tangle of a postseason picture suddenly became clear Sunday: Manager Bobby Cox and his wild-card Braves will face the Giants, while the San Diego Padres are finished.

"We try hard," Cox said after beating the Philadelphia Phillies. "This team is the hardest-working, hardest-trying team we've ever had here."

Major League Baseball was looking at the possibility of a three-team, two-day, coast-to-coast set of tiebreakers to sort out all the postseason slots. Instead, for the first time in four years, the regular season ended with game no 162.

"We nailed it," Giants outfielder Pat Burrell said. "It was looking like it was heading the wrong way. Our guys toughed it out."

Europe crushes Tiger and takes the lead

Europe could only dream of a Sunday like this at the Ryder Cup. It gave Tiger Woods his worst beating ever, hit all the right shots to spur on its foot-stomping, flag-waving crowd and kept the Americans from winning a single match.

Too bad this one won't end until Monday.

The Europeans already had reason to be in a festive mood amid the rain and muck of Celtic Manor.

Bolstered by the sight of blue on every leaderboard, they have won five matches and halved the last one when Francesco Molinari knocked in a 3-foot birdie putt and celebrated with his brother, Edoardo. That stretched their lead to 9½-6½.

Europe needs to win only five of the 12 singles match to reclaim the gold trophy.

"In my time — 20 years since I've been playing Ryder Cup — this is one of the greatest days for European golf we've ever had," European captain Colin Montgomerie said. "To run a two-point deficit into a three-point lead was quite amazing. To stop America from winning a match, just fantastic."

for more:  Europe crushes Tiger woods

Martina Navratilova wins her battle against cancer

Ace tennis player Martina Navratilova has won yet another marathon battle -- this time against breast cancer.

Navratilova, who was diagnosed with a non-invasive form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma, underwent six weeks of gruelling radiation treatment and now she is cancer free.

"I am cancer-free," people.com quoted her as saying. "Technically I was cancer free after the lumpectomy in March. But then I had radiation to make sure that it killed any cancer cells that were still hovering about," she added.

Arsenal next up to test Chelsea's title hopes

After failing their first big test of the season by losing 1-0 at Manchester City last week, champions Chelsea face another tough examination when Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti's men roared away from the pack by winning their opening five league games and outscoring some of the lesser lights in the division 21-1 but stumbled when they came up against their first major obstacle at Eastlands.

Arsenal also lost their unbeaten league record last week when they were surprisingly beaten 3-2 at home by West Bromwich Allbion.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will hope for a vastly improved performance from his side who have lost their last four matches to Chelsea in FA Cup and League.

City outmuscled Chelsea in midfield with their powerful Dutchman Nigel de Jong giving a robust performance, but Arsenal's injury-prone and less robust players will have to chose another route.

The hugely talented Jack Wilshere has the gift of creating chances for the front men, but only Samir Nasri looks lethal in front of goal at present, although Marouane Chamakh is an increasing danger in front of goal.

It will suit Chelsea to sit back, absorb whatever Arsenal throw at them and attack on the break because although Arsenal play attractive, attacking football their defensive frailties -- especially in goal -- were easily exposed by West Brom.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia had a poor game and injured himself saving a penalty he conceded. The often-criticised Lukasz Fabianski replaced him for Tuesday's Champions League match against Partizan Belgrade and impressed, but he is always capable of a major gaffe.

The 25-year-old Polish international said: "I have never been bothered by the things said about me, I am always trying to focus on my job and my work. Now I am ready to play against Chelsea, so we will see if I do."

Chelsea recovered from their loss to City with a 2-0 victory over Olympique Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday and if Ancelotti continues with the exciting Frenchman Gael Kakuta in attack, the Arsenal defence will have plenty to cope with.

However, Chelsea will still be without the injured Frank Lampard in midfield and Salomon Kalou up front.