Round three of The Week in Sports. The NBA & NHL playoffs are in full swing, and the Tigers are heating up. It’s a great time to be a sports fan.
Monday, May 3rd:
- Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers – 8:00pm – TNT
– Game 1 on Saturday saw the Celtics race out to an eleven point lead at the half. The Cavs responded in the third quarter to regain the lead, and eventually won the game by eight. Mo Williams sparked Cleveland in the second half, when he posterized Paul Pierce. I half expected Pierce to feign injury, only to miraculously rejoin his team in the fourth via wheelchair. - Detroit Tigers @ Minnesota Twins – 8:10pm – FSD
– After reeling off an impressive five straight wins at home (inlcluding two against the Twins), the Tigers make their first trip to Minnesota this season. The Twins are playing in their inaugural season at Target Field, their new home. Of course we all know the Metrodome sucked (not to mention, Detroit didn’t play the greatest there in recent memory), so hopefully Minnesota’s new digs are a bit kinder to us. I’d post a picture of Target Field, but while searching for a good one, I came across a much nicer looking park.
Tuesday, May 4th:
- San Jose Sharks @ Detroit Red Wings – 7:30pm – Versus
– With game two in this series set to take place in a little over an hour from now, it’s still unclear whether the Wings will be coming home with the series tied at one, or whether they’ll be down two games to none. I hesitate to call a game three a “must win”, but if the Sharks win once again at home tonight, Detroit must win Tuesday on home ice. In the NHL playoffs, being down 3-0 in a series is a fairly futile position to be in. - Utah Jazz @ LA Lakers – 10:30pm – TNT
– The Jazz kept game one in LA close today, but Kobe Bryant was too much to handle down the stretch. I fully expect the Jazz to give the Lakers as many fits as the Thunder did, and then some. Deron Williams is a sick man running the point, and even with AK47 sidelined with an injury, the Jazz won’t be backing down anytime soon. When it’s all said and done, the beaten-down Lakers will move on to the Western Conference Finals again.
Wednesday, May 5th:
- Detroit Tigers @ Minnesota Twins – 1:10pm – FSD
– Rick Porcello returns to the mound for the Tigers. In his last three starts, Porcello has given up at least five earned runs. His ERA is an atrocious 8.03. A solid showing here in Minnesota might get him back on the right track. This is the final game in the three game series, and with the Detroit only trailing the Twins by a half game in the division as of today, they could be headed to Cleveland at the top of the Central. - San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns – 9:00pm – TNT
– The second game between two teams quite familiar with one another. Just a few years ago, Steve Nash proved he was Canadian by taking one wicked hip check from Robert Horry.
Thursday, May 6th:
- San Jose Sharks @ Detroit Red Wings – 7:30pm – Versus
– I’d like to guarantee that the Wings won’t be facing elimination in game four of this series, but I also told you last week to keep an eye on Tiger Woods this weekend. In case you missed it, Woods carded his worst 36 hole score on American soil, and missed the cut at the Quail Hollow Championship. With that said, I’m still certain we’ll be seeing more of the Wings later in the week.
Friday, May 7th:
- Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians – 7:05pm – FSD
– The Tigers had Thursday off to rest, after playing twenty straight games. They begin a three game series in Cleveland Friday night, before returning home. Bonderman takes the mound against the winless Justin Masterson. The Tigers are 3-0 this season against baseball’s most hated team.
Saturday, May 8th:
- Orlando Magic @ Atlanta Hawks – 5:00pm – ESPN
– Rogacki made a good argument for Dwight Howard as a dark horse MVP finalist this season. While Howard was a major force during the regular season, he was average at best against Charlotte in Orlando’s first round series. He averaged just nine points and nine rebounds per game, and was constantly plagued by foul trouble. Superman needs to learn finesse around the basket, instead of bulldozing his way to the net. - Detroit Red Wings @ San Jose Sharks – 10:00pm – Versus
– I just refuse to believe this will be a four game series. Game two is currently in progress, and is tied at two after the first period.
Sunday, May 9th:
- Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Indians – 1:05pm – FSD
– The Tigers look to finish their road trip on a strong point, before returning home for a four game series with the Yankees, followed by a three game set with the Red Sox. - Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics – 3:30pm – ABC
– The Celtics seem much more comfortable at home this season. I think the overall length of this series ultimately decides Cleveland’s fate in the playoffs, as Lebron is already slightly ailing. Lebron, the actual MVP of the league this season, might very well consider a return to Cleveland this off-season, if he’s able to win a championship there this season.
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