Last night the Dallas Mavericks regained home-court advantage when they beat the Phoenix Suns 95-88 in the Suns’ house, and taking a two games to one advantage in the series.  This makes the second straight game that the Mavs held the prolific Suns offense under 100 points.  During the regular season, the Suns paced the NBA in points per game at a 108.4 clip.  It seems the only ones doing any clipping are the Mavs’ defenders.  The frontcourt duo of Dirk Nowitzki (28 points and 17 boards) and Josh Howard (22 points and 12 rebounds), led the Mavericks in pulling out the win on the road.  NBA MVP, Steve Nash (21 points and “only” 7 assists), playoff monster Boris Diaw (20 points, six boards, and three blocks), and the underrated Shawn Marion (10 points and 18 rebounds) couldn’t do enough for the Suns to win tonight.  The Western Conference finals continues on Tuesday at Phoenix. Tip off is at 9:00pm.

*The Miami Heat try to build on their win Saturday night as they once again play host to the Detroit Pistons for Game Four of the Eastern Conference finals, which the Heat lead 2-1.  The Pistons have pretty much looked tired (thanks to a long series against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers) in the three games played thus far in this series.  Will they be able to turn it around and look like they’re at the top of their games for all four quarters of Game Four?  We’ll find out tonight when the ball jumps up into the air at 8:00pm.

Okay, no more mentioning of Barry Bonds chasing, trying to tie, and passing Babe Ruth.  Bonds and I are well past that.  But, if somehow Bonds can stay healthy (specifically his knees), and he manages to get 35 homers before the end of this season, I and the millions of other members of the media, will start a Bonds Watch to surpass Hank Aaron’s MLB record 755 homeruns.  We’ll see.

*The World Champion Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians begin a four-game series today with Javier Vazquez taking the mound for the Sox and Cliff Lee for the Tribe.  Before the season, both teams were thought to be the main contenders for not only the A.L. Central, but for all of the American League.  The Pale Hose have been doing fine with a 33-17 record, but the Indians are only 25-25.  This could be the series that “wakes up” the Boys from Cleveland.
*The Boston Red Sox cross the border when they travel North to Toronto to battle the upstart Blue Jays.  Offseason acquisitions (notably A.J. Burnett, B.J. Ryan, and Troy Glaus) made many think that the Jays could actually contend in the A.L. East.  This division series should be a good one and another gauge as to how “real” the Jays are.  Matt Clement takes the hill for the BoSox, while Roy “Doc” Halladay will attempt to cut and slice the Red Sox batting order.
*My pitcher to watch today is Dan Haren of the Oakland Athletics, who faces a weak Kansas City Royals offense at home.  Haren has been “on” lately and should continue to wreck damage today.

Last night, the Carolina Hurricanes took a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals by beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in overtime.  Cory Stillman got the winning goal as he got to a loose puck and put it in between Ryan Miller’s legs 8:46 into the extra period.  The Canes need one more win to face the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals.  It won’t be an easy task, however, as the series goes back to Buffalo for Game Six, a game there is no question the Buffalo crowd will almost help will the Sabres to win.  Game Six will see the puck drop on Tuesday at 7:30pm.

*There are no games in the NHL tonight.

Enjoy the games!