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Week Ahead
THURSDAY 5/3
NBA Playoffs: Rockets at Jazz
After failing to advance past the first round in his first five postseasonappearances, Houston forward Tracy McGrady looked as if he might get off theschneid when the Rockets took a 2--0 lead against Utah. But the Jazz won twiceat home to even the series, ensuring that there will be a Game 6. T-Mac (above)will need to sharpen his shooting: He hit just 36.8% from the floor in thefirst four games.
Check listings
Mariners at RedSox
It's a dream come true for the dozens of Japanese reporters on the Dice-K beat:a bonus showdown between Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka. The first time he facedhis countryman in the U.S., on April 11 in Boston, Ichiro (right) went 0 for 4with a strikeout. He'll lead off again in this rainout makeup at Fenway Park,where Matsuzaka has a 5.79 ERA in two starts.
Check listings 7:05 p.m.
FRIDAY 5/4
In theaters: The Flying Scotsman
The story of Graeme Obree, a Scottish amateur who set the world one-hourcycling distance record in 1993, hits the big screen. Jonny Lee Miller playsthe hero, who broke the mark on a bike he built out of scrap metal and washingmachine parts.
SATURDAY 5/5
Jim Stewart 400
Who is Jim Stewart? A die-hard NASCAR follower from Houma, La.—and, apparently,a pretty good writer. By winning an essay contest sponsored by Crown Royal(contestants wrote about memorable moments in their lives; Stewart describedfishing with his dad), he became the first fan to have his name attached to amajor sporting event, this week's Nextel Cup race. On the track Dale EarnhardtJr. could continue his charge toward the top 10: He has risen from 18th to 13thin the Cup standings in the past two weeks, and he won at Richmond lastyear.
FOX 7 p.m.
Sunshine StateSmash
The two-year-old Beach Tennis USA circuit stages its first major event of theseason. Two-time defending BTUSA champions Phil Whitesell and Chris Henderson(left) begin their quest for a third title in Miami.
Tennis Channel 5 p.m.
SI PICK OF THEWEEK
SATURDAY 5/5
Derby Dreams
Todd Pletcher is the trainer with the best odds of winning the Kentucky Derby;he has five of the 20 scheduled entries. But the early favorite belongs toanother elite trainer: Steve Asmussen, whose colt Curlin (left) romped to a 101/2-length victory at the Arkansas Derby. Curlin is scary fast, but he's alsoinexperienced—he's bidding to become the first horse since Apollo in 1882 towin the Derby after not racing as a 2-year-old. Meanwhile, another favorite,Street Sense (right), could become the first reigning Breeder's Cup champ towin the Run for the Roses in 23 years.
NBC 4:30 p.m.
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RICHARD RASMUSSEN/THE SENTINEL-RECORD (CURLIN)
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TIMOTHY D. EASLEY (STREET SENSE)
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MIKE STOBE/GETTY IMAGES (HENDERSON)
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DAMIAN STROHMEYER (ICHIRO)
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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH (MCGRADY)
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