Week Ahead
THURSDAY 11/29
Knicks at Celtics
Ladies and gentlemen, Boston is burning. The Red Sox won the World Series, the Pats are unbeaten and now the Celts have the NBA's best record. Kevin Garnett gets most of the attention, but fellow newbie Ray Allen (right) has been just as big; the former Sonics guard is averaging 19.6 points and hit a game-winning three against Charlotte last Saturday.
TNT 8 p.m.
Packers at Cowboys
Suddenly-well-behaved Dallas wide receiver Terrell Owens has been making headlines with his hands—not his mouth. In the five games since Dallas lost to New England, Owens has caught nine TD passes, including four against the Redskins on Nov. 18.
NFL Network 8 p.m.
FRIDAY 11/30
Davis Cup final: U.S. vs. Russia
U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe is using the same lineup—Andy Roddick (left), James Blake and doubles pair Bob and Mike Bryan—for the fifth straight year. The U.S. hasn't won the Cup since 1995, but now the Yanks are playing on home soil (or rather, home acrylic hardcourt surface). The U.S. faces defending champ Russia in Portland.
Versus 4 p.m., Saturday 3:30 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.
SATURDAY 12/1
Detroit Ignition at New Jersey Ironmen
Former U.S. national team goalkeeper Tony Meola (right) will be in goal for New Jersey in the first Major Indoor Soccer League game in the new Prudential Center in Newark. Meola won't be the only big name on hand for the first home game in Ironmen history: Pelé will be the team's honorary captain.
SUNDAY 12/2
Birds of Prey Men's Downhill
Defending champ Bode Miller, who left the U.S. ski team last May to compete as an independent, is creeping up on Phil Mahre's American record of 27 career World Cup wins. Miller has 25, and there's a good chance he'll add to that total in Beaver Creek, Colo.—he won the downhill here last year.
NBC 2 p.m.
SI PICK OF THE WEEK
SATURDAY 12/1
Big 12 Championship Game
There's only one team standing between No. 1 Missouri and a date in the BCS championship came: No. 9 Oklahoma, which handed the Tigers their only loss of the season. The Sooners (10--2) won 41--31 on Oct. 13 when Mizzou (11--1)—playing without leading rusher Tony Temple (above)—ran for just 57 yards. But the Tigers will have Temple back at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The senior is healthy and coming off a 22-rush, 98-yard performance in a 36--28 win over Kansas last Saturday (page 42).
ABC 8 p.m.
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JULIE SCHEIDEGGER/US PRESSWIRE (TEMPLE)
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FERNANDO MEDINA/US PRESSWIRE (MEOLA)
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BOB MARTIN (RODDICK)
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DAMIAN STROHMEYER (ALLEN)