Sports briefs 3/13/04

Basketball

Former All-Star Vin Baker signed Friday with the New York Knicks for the rest of the season, a day after winning his arbitration case against the NBA. Knicks president Isiah Thomas announced the signing at the team's shootaround before its game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Baker was to be added to the active roster immediately.

Football

The Rams matched offers for two restricted free agents, cornerback Jerametrius Butler and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna. The Rams matched Washington's $15 million, six-year contract offer with Butler and Carolina's $8.3 million, five-year offer to Manumaleuna.

Motorsports

Ryan Newman nipped rookie Brian Vickers and won the pole Friday for the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his fifth in the past seven races dating back to last season. Newman had a series-high 11 in 2003 and has two in four races this season.

Olympics

Greece asked NATO for help with Olympic security as authorities deployed bomb squads and dogs at railroad stations after the deadly bombings in Spain. Greek officials previously had said that NATO allies would be on standby in case of a terrorist attack or other crises during the Aug. 13-29 Olympics.

-- From wire reports