Exultant Giants fans celebrate Super Bowl with parade

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Exultant fans of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants packed into downtown Manhattan for a victory parade on Tuesday, blowing on horns, dancing salsa and hoisting signs with the triumphant line "Believe in Blue."

Phelps finds inspiration abounds in New York

NEW YORK (Reuters) - For Michael Phelps, inspiration comes in all different shapes and sizes.

Clippers lose Billups for season with injury

- (Reuters) The Los Angeles Clippers were dealt a blow as starting guard Chauncey Billups was ruled out for the rest of the NBA season with a torn left Achilles tendon, the team said Tuesday. He will also miss this year's London Olympics.

Heat beat Cavs to close in on conference lead

(Reuters) - The Miami Heat inched closer to top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 107-91 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.

Maturing McIlroy ready to play percentage game

DUBAI (Reuters) - World number two Rory McIlroy said a more mature approach to his game can help him add to his trophy haul when he makes his seventh straight appearance at the Dubai Desert Classic Thursday.

Caps shut out Panthers to retake division lead

(Reuters) - Washington goaltender Tomas Vokoun haunted his former team Florida with a 42-save shutout as the Capitals reclaimed first place in the Southeast division with a 4-0 win over the Panthers Tuesday.

Former Spain PM questions CAS ruling on Contador

MADRID (Reuters) - Former Spanish Primer Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, criticized for intervening in Alberto Contador's doping case when still in office, has questioned the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) decision to ban the cyclist for two years.

Giants' Super Bowl victory a boon for Vegas profit

(Reuters) - Super Bowl gambling in Nevada rose to its highest level in six years and the state's sports books cashed in when the New York Giants edged the favored New England Patriots in Sunday's National Football League (NFL) title game.

Ravens' Ricky Williams retiring after 11 seasons

(Reuters) - Former NFL rushing leader Ricky Williams is retiring after 11 seasons, the Baltimore Ravens running back said on Tuesday.

Dodgers and ace Kershaw reach two-year deal

(Reuters) - The Los Angeles Dodgers have avoided arbitration with National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw by agreeing to a two-year, $19 million contract with the pitcher, the team said on Tuesday.