though he was one of only four players in the lea

MADRID -- The last Spanish league derby against Atletico Madrid marked a turning point for Zinedine Zidanes Real Madrid.The disappointing home defeat in February was the last time Madrid lost a game in the league. It rebounded from that 1-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu by going on a streak that culminated with the club lifting the Champions League trophy -- in a final against Atletico -- and contending for the league title until the very end.Madrid won 12 straight after the loss, erasing 11 points off Barcelonas lead and finishing only one point from the title.This time, Madrid is just looking to keep its momentum when it plays city rival Atletico on Saturday.Madrid arrives at the derby in a much better position than previously, holding a two-point lead over Barcelona and a six-point advantage over Diego Simeones Atletico, which needs the victory to avoid losing more ground to the rivals. Atletico led the league until losing two of its last three games to drop to fourth in the standings.Atletico has won four league games in a row at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, but it will be facing a Madrid team that has thrived away from the Bernabeu, having scored 20 goals in its last four away games in all competitions.Madrid isnt getting over-confident, however.The next game will be a tricky one, like they always are against Atletico, Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez said.Madrids only loss since the league game against Atletico last season was at Wolfsburg in the Champions League in April. It remains unbeaten since then, with 21 wins and seven draws in all competitions. It has won four straight in the league and is the only team in the top tier not to have lost this season.Succeeding at the Calderon may be especially difficult this time as Zidane has been dealing with injuries to some of the teams top forwards. Alvaro Morata, who scored three goals in his last three games with Madrid, is out because of a hamstring injury sustained with Spains national team, and it remains unclear if Karim Benzema will overcome a lingering hip problem.The coach may have to change the team up front, or use some of his reserve players to fill the attack along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. Among Zidanes options on offense are Lucas Vazquez and youngster Mariano Diaz.Other Madrid players uncertain to start Saturday because of injuries include defender Pepe and defensive midfielder Casemiro. In better news for Zidane, midfielder Luka Modric will likely make his first start since undergoing a surgical procedure on his knee almost two months ago, and defender Sergio Ramos also is expected to play after his own knee problems. Midfielder Tony Kroos remains sidelined because of a foot injury.Simeone, meanwhile, still doesnt know if he will be able to count on forward Antoine Griezmann, who is nursing a knock to his left foot sustained with Frances national team in a World Cup qualifier last week. The forward has a good chance of playing after tests early in the week ruled out a serious injury.Madrid and Atletico drew 1-1 the last time they met at the Calderon. Madrid beat its city rival in a penalty shootout in the Champions League final in Milan.It will likely be the last derby at the Calderon as Atletico is set to move into a new stadium next year.Barcelona hosts Malaga on Saturday, while third-placed Villarreal plays at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni Germaine Pratt Bengals Jersey .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Renell Wren Bengals Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Anthony-Munoz-Jersey/ . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Ryan Finley Jersey . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. Boomer Esiason Bengals Jersey . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. MIAMI -- It was an hour or so after the Miami Heat punched their ticket back to the Eastern Conference finals, and a question was asked about the perceived demise of Dwyane Wades abilities. LeBron James was not pleased. "Hes a Hall of Famer. He has two rings," James said. "He doesnt to prove himself to anyone. No one." Maybe, maybe not. But just in case, Wade ignored his aching right knee and put those oft-questioned skills on full display to earn his fifth trip to the East finals. Over the last 5 1/2 minutes of Miamis 94-91 second-round clinching win over the Chicago Bulls, Wade was the only Heat player with a field goal, going 3 for 3. He had three rebounds, half Miamis total in that span, along with his teams only blocked shot. And with two short floaters -- set up by the "Eurostep" move that hes made a trademark -- along with a strong dunk after a rebound, Wade offered a reminder that hes still more than capable of elite moments. "I always try to overcome," Wade said. "I understand certain things will be said. But Im harder on myself than anybody." Hes averaging only 13 points per game in this post-season, by far his lowest clip in nine trips to the playoffs, and simply could not care less about what the stat sheet says in that regard. Hes taken only 24 free throws in the entire post-season, which is one less than his single-game high from the line set back in the 2006 NBA Finals against Dallas. But when Wade is on the floor in these playoffs, the Heat are outscoring opponents by 10.4 points per game. When hes not on the floor, the Heat are outscoring opponents by 4.7 points per game. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra often brings numerical intricacies into his way of thinking, but he finds those numbers to tell a clear and simple story. "He never makes excuses for anything and hes giving us everything hes got and hes giving us minutes that help us win," Spoelstra said. "Thats the bottom line." If excuses were to be made, this baffling issue with Wades right knee would provide a decent supply of them. The saga is now in its third month, after he took some hits during games against Boston and Orlando back in March. He sat out a game March 24, with the Heat saying at the time that they did not believe the issue was all that serious. Wade later said it was three bone bruises around his right kneecap, and that it was basically all a case of wrong-place, wrong-time, bad luck. And the issue remains paramount now, even prompting some speculation before Game 5 that Wade would be sitting out the potential clincher to rest. Wade said that was nott an option.dddddddddddd "Its the time of year where youve got to do what you can," said Wade, who got the tape on his knee re-done before entering the game in the fourth quarter, because sweat loosened the original tape job and he wanted to be at his best for the comeback push. When the Bulls look at the tape of the closing minutes, when their chance to extend the series went awry, theyll likely wish that Wade wasnt out there. Wade was the only Miami starter to make a field goal in the final quarter, after the first five baskets of the last 12 minutes were made by Heat reserves -- sparking what became a 30-16 run to end the game, and the Bulls season. Then it was Wades time to be the closer, and he delivered. With Miami up 84-83, Wade set up on the right wing and was freed by a pick set by Shane Battier against Richard Hamilton, shook his way clear of Carlos Boozer and made a 10-footer. On the next possession, Wade used almost the same move to get down the middle of the lane, this time faking out Hamilton and Joakim Noah, for another short floater that put Miami up 88-84. The highlight came about 90 seconds later. Norris Cole missed a jumper, and Wade ran past Hamilton and Nate Robinson to get to the rim untouched in anticipation of a rebound. Wade went up, dunked the ball with two hands, landed and spun around in celebration. Knee pain, nowhere to be found. Doubted all season because of his declining numbers -- even though he was one of only four players in the league to average at least 20 points, five assists and five rebounds -- Wade made sure the Heat would close out Chicago and earn a trip to the East finals. "I have to overcome different things," Wade said. "This is a part of my journey and hopefully one day when I walk away from this game I get the respect that my game deserves, whatever that may be. So I just try to go out and do what I can for my teammates, hurt or not hurt, and try to win. Thats all." It was that answer that got James fired up. For 80 seconds, the leagues four-time MVP played defence in support of his teammate and close friend, as Wade sat to his left and just listened to the words of praise. "Its a Catch-22," James said. "If he doesnt play, then you guys are like, Why are you not in uniform? Its a playoff game. Why is he not playing? When he does play and hes not scoring 20 points, its D-Wade shouldnt be out there. I dont really care for it too much. ... As his teammate, as his brother, man, I love the fight he continues to give. When hes out on the floor, no matter what the stat sheet says, hes a threat." ' ' '