Week Ahead

What to watch and watch for

THURSDAY 5/18

NBA Playoffs,Suns at Clippers
The Pacific Division rivals meet for Game 6 of their series, which L.A. knottedat two games apiece with a win on Sunday (page 46). Win or lose, the Clippershave done something few other teams have: bottle up Steve Nash (above). TheNBA's MVP hasn't scored more than 14 points since Game 1. "The way they'replaying me," he said on Sunday, "I'm not going to have a prolificscoring series." ESPN Check listings

SATURDAY 5/20

Yankees atMets
The Subway Series has been one-sided since interleague play began in 1997. TheBombers are 29-19 against the Amazin's, and that doesn't count their five-gamewin in the 2000 World Series. But then again, none of those Yankees teams hadto rely on Bubba Crosby and Melky Cabrera (right) to shoulder a load, as thisyear's injury-depleted squad must. The career backup and the rookie are nowstarting in the Bronx Bombers' outfield. Fox 1 p.m.

Marco AntonioBarrera vs. Rocky Juarez
The 32-year-old Barrera (61-4) has won some epic battles--including his victoryover Erik Morales in The Ring's 2004 Fight of the Year. Now his juniorlightweight belt is on the line against 26-year-old Juarez (25-1), the 2000Olympic silver medalist. HBO 10:30 p.m.

SI PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY 5/20

On the Go
Former UCLA coach John Wooden once said that if you want to learn how to playthe game, watch the WNBA. Well, get ready for more lessons: The WNBA is back.The latest NBA face to cross over to the women's game is former Lakers, Bullsand Nuggets coach Paul Westhead (right), who will install his high-octaneoffense in Phoenix, which has missed the playoffs in each of the past fiveyears. The Mercury's new attack will be run by All-Star Diana Taurasi (left);her first test comes today in Sacramento against the defending championMonarchs. ABC 4 p.m.

SUNDAY 5/21

Arena FootballPlayoffs, Georgia Force at New York Dragons
The Dragons' newest weapon is 5'5" Mutsumi Takahashi (left), the firstJapanese native to play pro football in the U.S. The elusive offensivespecialist gives Georgia one more thing to worry about; on May 6 the Force gaveup two TD receptions to Maurice Brown in a 47-35 Dragons win. NBC 3 p.m.

TUESDAY 5/23

Morocco at UnitedStates
When you hear "Morocco," you don't think soccer superpower, but thefirst of three pre--World Cup warmups, in Nashville, won't be easy for LandonDonovan (left) and the lads. Morocco, ranked 36th in the world, just missed outon a World Cup berth when Tunisia scored a late goal in their final qualifyingmatch. ESPN2 7 p.m.

TWO PHOTOS

BARRY GOSSAGE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (TAURASI, WESTHEAD)

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JONATHAN FERREY/GETTY IMAGES (DONOVAN)

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L.SCOTT WAMBSGANSS/WIREIMAGE.COM (TAKAHASHI)

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DANNY MOLOSHOK/REUTERS (NASH)

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RAY STUBBLEBINE/REUTERS (CABRERA)

ILLUSTRATION