CONTENTS

NBA PLAYOFFS 24
The Lakers swept the Suns in the Western Conference finals to earn a shot at a third straight NBA title
by Bruce Newman

The Pistons' Isiah Thomas blew hot and cold against the Bulls' Michael Jordan, who gave Detroit fits
by Jack McCallum

A BUMPER-CAR INDY 32
Emerson Fittipaldi won the Indianapolis 500 after a last-minute 200-mph brush with a forgiving Al Unser Jr.
by Sam Moses

THESE REDS LOOK ROSY 42
Despite the trials of Pete Rose, and other tribulations, Cincinnati was atop the National League West
by Douglas S. Looney

MONTREAL GOES UP IN FLAMES 44
Al MacInnis and his sizzling slap shot led Calgary to victory over the Canadiens for the Stanley Cup title
by Austin Murphy

THE HIT MAN 48
Hagler, Leonard and Barkley beat Thomas Hearns, but they all got beat up as well. Now it's on to Leonard II
by Ralph Wiley

LADY IN WAITING 73
Vicki Huber is poised to inherit the throne from Mary Slaney as America's queen of the middle distances
by Merrell Noden

THE DAILY DOUBLE 92
An odd couple of Ivy Leaguers produce the most distinguished turf writing to be found in U.S. newspapers
by Geoffrey Norman

DEPARTMENTS

Letters 6
Scorecard 19
Track & Field 80
Inside Baseball 82
Boxing 90
For The Record 113
Point After 116

Cover Photograph by Peter Read Miller

PHOTO

MANNY MILLAN

FRIENDLY PERSUASION: Piston Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer tries charm on ref Jack Madden in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern finals. In Game 2, he used force on the Bulls" John Paxson and was ejected (page 29).