Spring Break
The Pro Side: The best of the weekend ahead, beyond Storrs
Russell Blair
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Sports
Despite the overwhelming presence of college basketball this weekend, the NBA and MLB still have a number of intriguing games this weekend.
Miami Heat at Charlotte Bobcats, Friday 7:00 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C. ABC
The Bobcats sit just one-and-a-half games behind Chicago, vying for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte has been in the league for five seasons now and is still seeking its first trip to the playoffs.
Charlotte takes on a Miami team that has been slipping as of late, losing four of their last five and seven of their last 10.
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers, Friday 10:30 p.m., Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif. ESPN
While the Lakers have already clinched home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs, the Rockets are trying to earn a top-four seed and a home-court advantage of their own.
The Rockets boast one of the top defenses in the league, allowing just 94.8 points-per-game, but allowed the Suns to shoot 54.3 percent and score 114 points in a loss to Phoenix on Wednesday.
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday 8:00 p.m., Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia ESPN2
After winning the World Series six months ago, the Phillies will host the Braves in their opening game and the opening game of the 2009 MLB season.
The likely starter for the defending champion Phillies will be left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels. Hamels put together a 14-10 record last season including two wins in games one and five of the World Series.
Villanova vs. North Carolina, NCAA Final Four, Saturday 9:37 p.m., Ford Field, Detroit
On the other side of the bracket, the Villanova Wildcats will look to knock off the highly favored North Carolina Tar Heels.
Villanova barely slid past Duke, with junior star Scottie Reynolds getting the go-ahead layup with less than two seconds to go in the game.
Miami Heat at Charlotte Bobcats, Friday 7:00 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C. ABC
The Bobcats sit just one-and-a-half games behind Chicago, vying for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte has been in the league for five seasons now and is still seeking its first trip to the playoffs.
Charlotte takes on a Miami team that has been slipping as of late, losing four of their last five and seven of their last 10.
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers, Friday 10:30 p.m., Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif. ESPN
While the Lakers have already clinched home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs, the Rockets are trying to earn a top-four seed and a home-court advantage of their own.
The Rockets boast one of the top defenses in the league, allowing just 94.8 points-per-game, but allowed the Suns to shoot 54.3 percent and score 114 points in a loss to Phoenix on Wednesday.
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday 8:00 p.m., Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia ESPN2
After winning the World Series six months ago, the Phillies will host the Braves in their opening game and the opening game of the 2009 MLB season.
The likely starter for the defending champion Phillies will be left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels. Hamels put together a 14-10 record last season including two wins in games one and five of the World Series.
Villanova vs. North Carolina, NCAA Final Four, Saturday 9:37 p.m., Ford Field, Detroit
On the other side of the bracket, the Villanova Wildcats will look to knock off the highly favored North Carolina Tar Heels.
Villanova barely slid past Duke, with junior star Scottie Reynolds getting the go-ahead layup with less than two seconds to go in the game.
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