its affecting both ends of the court,

VAL DI FIEMME, Italy -- Canadian Alex Harvey finished fifth Saturday in the Tour de Ski and then pulled out of the seven-race event before the gruelling final stage. Harvey decided he would not start Sundays nine-kilometre pursuit race because the punishing climb up Alpe de Cermis could have a negative effect on an artery in his leg. The motion of lifting the leg up the steep alpine ski hill can force his hip flexor to bulge, impeding blood flow and circulation. "For me it was pretty clear before the Tour started that I wasnt going to climb that hill," said Harvey, who also pulled out of the final stage last year. "Being in the lead and the top three for the Tour opened the door to thinking about it, but there is just so much to lose for me physically when the blood flow shuts down completely when Im working so hard. "We dont know exactly how long it takes to recover, and I just dont want to risk anything especially with the Olympics coming up." It was still a very successful Tour for Harvey, who opened the event last month with a victory and later added silver and bronze. Petter Northug revved up his preparations for next months Sochi Games by winning Saturday, cutting into the overall lead of fellow Norwegian Martin Johnsrud Sundby. Northug fought through snow and rain for the win in 24 minutes 45.6 seconds over the 10-kilometre classical stage. Sundby crossed second, 9.7 seconds behind, and Chris Jespersen was third to complete a Norwegian sweep. The 25-year-old Harvey, from St-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Que., was fifth in 25:21.1. "It was pretty messy weather today but overall my skis were good and I felt good the whole way," said Harvey. "I started aggressive and fought for the podium the whole way. I think I paced things well and attacked where I needed too which is key to an individual start." The final stage ends with a four-kilometre climb with pitches that come close to a 30 per cent grade. "With his leg condition, it takes at least one week for Alex to recover from something like that," said head coach Justin Wadsworth. "Alex knows he will not be able to fight for the top three tomorrow with his leg. So looking at what is really to gain, he made the smart decision not to race." Ivan Babikov of Canmore, Alta., was 27th and Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont., was 52nd. Entering Sundays final stage, Sundby leads Northug by 48.5 seconds. Jespersen is 1:26.8 back in third place. Norwegians are also commanding the womens race, with two-time runner-up Therese Johaug winning a 5K classical stage Saturday to cut into the lead of countrywoman Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen. Johaug had a time of 13:58.4 to finish 14.9 seconds ahead of Jacobsen, with Anne Kyllonen of Finland third, 19.2 back. In the overall, Jacobsens lead over Johaug was sliced to 23.8 seconds, with Kyllonen 1:31.5 back. Northug won the 15K classical title at last years world championships in Val di Fiemme and also took gold in the 50K at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. He has also finished on the podium four times in the Tour de Ski but has never won the competition. "I am getting stronger with each competition," Northug said. "This time I am not as tired going to the final stage." Sundby has never come close to winning the Tour de Ski. "I felt quite tired after yesterdays competition," said Sundby, who won Fridays stage. "I felt better in the second lap. I have to recover well today and get ready for the final climb. It will be pure pain." Johaug was runner-up in 2011 and 2013 and finished third in 2012, while Jacobsen has never reached the podium. "I feel I am in a very good shape and I can compete with almost everybody," Jacobsen said. "I do not think much about the overall result. Its already a great achievement for me to be in the leading position before the final stage. I am happy that there is a high chance that a Norwegian lady crosses the finish on Alpe Cermis in first place." Joe DiMaggio Yankees Jersey . The 26-year-old Regina native teamed up with Denny Morrison and Mathieu Giroux to win gold in 2010. Makowsky also was 13th in the 5,000 metres and 19th in the 1,500m in Vancouver. He also represented Canada at the 2014 Games in Sochi, helping the pursuit team finish fourth and finishing 28th in the 1,500. Ron Guidry Jersey . Phoenix originally signed Barbosa to a 10-day contract on Jan. 8 after Eric Bledsoe injured his knee and then signed him to another 10-day deal. https://www.cheapyankees.com/1421g-andy-...ey-yankees.html. "This isnt really the week you want to lose Chris Greaves," fellow lineman Glenn January said Wednesday after practice. Greaves is expected to miss several weeks after suffering a knee injury in last weeks 36-28 win over the Ottawa Redblacks. Paul ONeill Yankees Jersey . Curtis Davies and Robert Koren secured the victory with goals inside 35 minutes of the fifth-round replay against the second-tier side. Roger Maris Jersey .com) - Coming off a pair of tough losses last week, the Syracuse Orange will try to put an end to their first losing skid of the season when they pay a visit to the Maryland Terrapins at the Comcast Center on Monday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action.ATLANTA - The Hawks needed a little time — and a strong halftime push from coach Mike Budenholzer — to forget about a tough loss the previous night and focus on the Knicks.Kyle Korver scored 27 points and Atlanta overcame a strong start by Carmelo Anthony and New York to win 103-96 on Saturday night.The Knicks were handed their fourth straight loss.Jeff Teague had 19 points for Atlanta, which recovered after losing back-to-back road games at San Antonio and Charlotte by a combined five points. Korver said it wasnt easy to block out Friday nights 122-119 double-overtime loss to Charlotte.We made a little adjustment, but most of it was we lost in double-overtime last night and we came out a little sluggish, said Korver, who added that Budenholzer really challenged us at halftime, and guys responded.Anthony led New York with 20 points, including 14 in the first quarter. Iman Shumpert had 19.Anthony shot 6 of 10 from the field in the first period and 2 for 10 the rest of the game.I felt great. Coming into the game, I felt good, Anthony said. I felt good in the first quarter. I just kind of cooled down from there. I cant put a finger on exactly what happened from there.The Knicks led 61-48 at halftime before the Hawks rallied to take the lead with the final basket of the third period.I think we got over being tired and started playing, Teague said. Our feet were in sand at the beginning of the game.After several lead changes in the fourth, the Hawks took a 94-88 advantage with seven straight points, including a 3-pointer by Korver and two baskets by Teague.With Anthony leading the way, the Knicks led 32-20 after the first period. New York stretched it to 61-48 at halftime even though Anthony didnt score in the second quarter.Budenholzer said before the game he hoped improved depth would give Atlanta an advantage when playing on consecutive nights. The Hawks and Knicks travelled following losses to Charlotte and Brooklyn, respectively, on Friday night.With the Knicks down to 12 players, Atlantas deep beench showed in the second half.ddddddddddddThe Hawks outscored the Knicks 27-13 in the third quarter.I think they upped their energy a bit, New York coach Derek Fisher said. I think they felt like they got pushed around in the first half.The Hawks went up 5-3 and didnt lead again until a fast-break drive by Thabo Sefolosha gave Atlanta a 75-74 edge to close the third quarter.Tim Hardaway Jr. had 15 points and Amare Stoudemire scored 14 for the Knicks, who are still adjusting to the triangle offence.The lack of confidence we have as a team, its affecting both ends of the court, Anthony said.Fisher blamed the Knicks offensive letdown on just not being able to get the ball moving as much in the second half.DeMarre Carroll scored 12 points and Paul Millsap had 11 points with 13 rebounds for Atlanta. Millsap drew the primary defensive assignment on Anthony, but had help from Sefolosha and Carroll.___TIP-INSKnicks: Shumpert, who fouled out with 43 seconds remaining, was back at small forward after starting at point guard in Friday nights loss to the Nets. Shane Larkin, who came off the bench against the Nets, started at point guard and had nine points.Hawks: Second-year guard Dennis Schroeders role continues to grow. He had 11 points and five steals in 20 minutes. Instead of seeing minutes only behind Teague, Schroeder played much of the second quarter with the starting point guard.UP NEXTKnicks: Host Hawks on Monday night.Hawks: Play at Knicks on Monday night.GUARDS DOWNThe Knicks again were without point guards Jose Calderon (strained right calf) and Pablo Prigioni (sprained right ankle). Prigioni, who did not travel, missed his second straight game, and Calderon hasnt played this season.We still have 12 guys who are NBA players, Fisher said. We just have to figure it out.FOUL PLAYThe Knicks were called for 29 fouls — 12 more than the Hawks. We couldnt figure out a way to defend without fouling, Fisher said. The imbalance helped Atlanta outscore New York 28-8 from the free throw line. ' ' '