Talladega Knockout Qualifying

This just ended with Brian Scott coming out of nowhere to grab the pole position for tomorrow’s race. Nobody knew what it would look like since this is the first go at pack qualifying at a restrictor plate race. It was pretty fun but may need some changes. Dale Jr. thinks heat races would be a better option, and as fun as it is at Daytona, he might have a point.

Nationwide Race at Talladega - Saturday, 3:00pm, ESPN

Any restrictor plate race is worth watching. These races are wild and produce close finishes and big wrecks. This should be a nice appetizer for the main event on Sunday.

5 NBA Game 7’s

Indiana vs Atlanta - Saturday, 5:30pm, TNT

This series has been without a doubt the biggest eye opener. The Pacers might actually lose to the 8th seeded Hawks who finished the regular season with a 38-44 record. Jeff Teague and Roy Hibbert have killed the Pacers, but it’s amazing how far this team has fallen. They don’t have that swag or confidence that they had last year at this time and for most of this season. If they take care of business and run the Hawks off the floor today they might be able to regain some of that, but they are going to have their hands full with the young upbeat Wizards. However if Roy Hibbert can’t get his head on straight and start playing angry basketball, they might consider blowing this team up during the offseason.

OKC vs Memphis - Saturday, 8:00pm, TNT

It feels as though the Grizz should have won this series already but now the NBA has suspended Zbo for todays series ender, and that combined with the Mike Conley injury might end any hopes of them reaching the second round. By the way that guy who wrote that Durant was “Mr. Unreliable” should be getting a standing ovation at the game today. Yes you don’t want to hurt the delicate sensibilities of today’s NBA stars in fear that they might leave town, you knew he was going to come out and play pissed off in Game 6 and he took it to them with 36 points and 10 rebounds en route to a 20 point win to stave off elimination. Today we should see more of the same as the Thunder get some help from the NBA in reaching round two.

LAC vs Golden State - Saturday, 10:30pm, TNT

All the pressure is on the Clippers tonight. However, Steph Curry could easily be the best player on the floor tonight. He is going to need to get hot early and often if the Warriors want to pull off the upset. They also need another great defensive game from Draymond Green while guarding Blake Griffin. Personally, I think the Warriors have it in them. I think they will want it more than the Clippers tonight. I can already picture “disappointed Doc Rivers” in the post game press conference.

Toronto vs Brooklyn - Sunday, 1:00pm, ABC

The experience of the Nets players has to prevail in this one right? As long as Jason Kidd doesn’t get in the way again. I am not counting the Raptors out, they have played some great hoop, but something tells me we are going to see a big game out of Pierce on the offensive end and an equally big game from Garnett on the defensive end. The Raptors will probably come out flying and get out to an early lead, but the Nets are going to play a better 48 minute game.

SAS vs Dallas - Sunday, 3:30pm, ABC

While this isn’t as shocking as the Pacers/Hawks series, I don’t think anyone thought this would go 7 and frankly it shouldn’t have but Vince Carter hit what was the best shot of the playoffs until Damian Lillard rose to the occasion last night. I just can’t see Duncan, Parker and Ginobili allowing the Spurs to get ousted on home court in Game 7 of the first round to the inner state rival Mavs. They are going to will them to victory as they still want to right what happened in the Finals a season ago.

Second Round NHL Playoffs

Last night we had the Rangers and Penguins go to overtime. Today we are treated to the best rivalry in hockey with Bruins/Habs. Tonight we get an inner state matchup between the Kings and the Ducks and tomorrow we get more Penguins/Rangers and Game 1 of the Wild/Blackhawks series. I think most sports fans are in agreement that the NHL playoffs are the best in sports and this year has been no exception.

The Kentucky Derby

As if I haven’t talked about enough great things on TV this weekend we also get treated to “The most exciting two minutes in sports”. I am on the Ride on Curlin bandwagon this year and it seems as though several others are as well. While he isn’t a favorite or being talked about by too many people, he was 30-1 a few days ago and now is sitting at 15-1. He will have three time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel aboard for the ride, oh and Ride on Curlin looks like this…