RIO DE JANEIRO -- France won its third straight mens basketball game with its most dominant performance in the Olympics, beating Venezuela 96-56 on Friday night to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals.Joffrey Lauvergne scored 17 points and Tony Parker had 14 for the French, who joined Australia at 3-1 in Group A, a game behind the unbeaten U.S. France faces the Americans on Sunday in its final game of the preliminary round.France lost to Australia in the opener, but the French routed China and edged Serbia before controlling this game most of the way. The French put six players in double figures, with Antoine Diot also scoring 14.Gregory Echenique had 12 points for Venezuela, which was coming off its first victory and fell to 1-3. It faces Australia on Sunday.Air Max Sale Australia . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Nike Air Max Australia Womens . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. http://www.saleairmaxaustralia.com/ . Louis. To which I would say two things: 1. Where there is smoke, there is or perhaps has been a little fire. Or, in other words, the two teams would appear to have at least spoken. And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less. Nike Air Max Mens Australia . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. Air Max Australia Cheap . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No.OXON HILL, Md. -- Albeit too late to save them this year, the San Francisco Giants got their closer.All-Star righty Mark Melancon and the Giants reached agreement on a $62 million, four-year contract Monday. As baseballs winter meetings heated up, lefty Rich Hill re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $48 million over three years.Chris Sale was still with the White Sox, for now. But the Washington Nationals were trying to put together a deal for the lefty ace.Nothing yet on the other top trade targets -- Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen and possibly two Detroit fixtures, slugger Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Justin Verlander.A couple smaller deals also developed as teams met inside a hotel on the banks of the Potomac River outside Washington. The Toronto Blue Jays signed versatile Steve Pearce and Philadelphia added reliever Joaquin Benoit.And the New York Yankees confirmed theyre trying to boost their bullpen with major free-agent talent.We have been pursuing Aroldis Chapman. We also have been talking to Kenley Jansen. We also had talked with Melancon, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.Jose Reyes, meanwhile, might be changing positions, rather than teams. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said the star infielder would get his first look at the outfield in spring training.And the Red Sox said they might fill their designated hitter spot -- left vacant by the retiring David Ortiz -- with a DH-by-committee. That would still leave room, of course, for them to sign slugger Edwin Encarnacion.Boston did make a move with manager John Farrell, picking up hiss contract option through the 2018 season.ddddddddddddMelancon tweeted that he was excited to be joining the Giants. They certainly were thrilled to get him, pending a physical, giving the 31-year-old the richest deal ever for a reliever. Because he was traded during the season, from Pittsburgh to Washington, the Giants dont lose their first-round draft pick next June as compensation.The Giants bullpen was a troublespot all year, blowing 32 saves. Their woes peaked in their final loss, to the Cubs in Game 4 of the NL playoffs, when Chicago scored four runs in the ninth inning against five relievers.Melancon posted a combined 47 saves and a 1.64 ERA last season, a year after leading the majors with 51 saves for the Pirates.The 36-year-old Hill found stability, and a lot more in Los Angeles. He was on the scrap heap in 2015, pitching in independent ball for the Long Island Ducks, before resurrecting his career.I think its something that has been an incredible journey to get to this point, but never did I ever think that I would pack it in, he said.Hill went a combined 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA in 20 starts for the Dodgers and Oakland last season.Not everyone was in the holiday shopping spirit. Instead of hoping for hitters, pitchers or fielders, Kansas City manager Ned Yost was thinking about his field back home in Georgia.I got to refill the feeders at the farm. Planted some grass, finally got some rain, so my wish is that it comes up, he said. ' ' '