Leading Off

Tim Is Money
In a classic display of low-post proficiency against Suns forward Kurt Thomas, forward Tim Duncan scored 33 points and pulled down 19 rebounds in a 108--101 Spurs victory in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals last Saturday at San Antonio. On Monday night Phoenix won, 104--98, to square the series at 2--all.

Clay Pigeons
Rafael Nadal shot down Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the ATP Rome Masters last Friday en route to an unprecedented third straight title in the tournament. By defeating Fernando Gonzalez 6--2, 6--2 in the final, Nadal ran his winning streak on clay to 77 matches, the record for consecutive victories on one surface.

A Lot on His Plate
Reds catcher Javier Valentin took on a pair of Astros base runners trying to score on a double in the fourth inning of a May 7 game in Cincinnati. Carlos Lee, who started on second base, beat the throw from centerfield, but umpire Rick Reed called Luke Scott out as he attempted to get home from first, in Houston's 5--4 victory.

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Photograph by Greg Nelson

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Photograph by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

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Photograph by Al Behrman/AP