Bottom Line Sports Talk w/ T

The Spurs and Lakers both lost their respective Game 1s on Sunday. New Orleans handled L.A. 109-100 in a game where Pau Gasol struggled big time for the two-time defending champions. Meanwhile, Chris Paul exploited the Lakers' weakness, its backcourt, yet again in a stellar performance. The Hornets' gameplan was simple: Take the Lakers' perimeter defenders off the dribble and create mid-range or close-range opportunities. San Antonio seems to be even more beatable than L.A. The Spurs aren't healthy and the hungry Grizzlies are licking their chops. Now, Memphis, which just picked up its first playoff win in team history (1-12), looks to build on its "Let's Make History" motto. The Celtics beat the Knicks, 87-85 in what turned out to be the best Game 1 of the weekend. Boston showed why it's the toughest team to beat in close games after Ray Allen sunk the game-winning 3-pointer with 12 seconds left. Carmelo Anthony wasn't as clutch, missing 10 of his 11 shots in the second half. Allen's big game as well as Jermaine O'Neal's huge effort are great signs for the Celtics. By not continuing to feed the ball to a red hot Amare Stoudemire and letting Melo lose the game for the team, New York missed out on its chance to steal Game 1. And stealing Game 2 isn't likely with Chauncey Billups expected to be out for that game with a strained left knee. The Thunder beat the Nuggets, 107-103. If the opener was any indication, this will be the crazy series that everyone expected. Denver played exactly how it wanted to play until it missed its final five shots in the last three minutes. George Karl knew that closing games out would be a struggle for his team, but the Nuggets shouldn't be discouraged. Kevin Durant (41 points) and Russell Westbrook (31 points) had to have monster games to lift OKC to the win. And who knows, Denver may still have won if the refs would have at least reviewed Kendrick Perkins' tip-in with 1:06 left, which many believe should have been goaltending. Photo from bleacherreport.com

After Saturday's Game 1s, it's clear that Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose need more help from their teammates. Rose finally got some as Chicago survived 104-99 against an Indiana team that led almost the entire game. Meanwhile, Superman never got it. Jameer Nelson scored 27, but no one else scored more than 6 points. The rest of the team shot 8-for-34 from the field for a combined 20 points as the Hawks beat the Magic, 103-93. These trends will have to change if either of these teams is to make a serious run at the NBA title. The Heat played a lackluster first quarter but regrouped to beat the Sixers, 97-89. Philadelphia did make an impressive charge at the end of the game, but Miami got exactly what it will need in these playoffs to be successful: A clutch Dwyane Wade and an awesome defense. Meanwhile, Mike Miller is still finding ways to not contribute for the Heat. As if his past injuries didn't make you scratch your head, now he's dealing with injuries to BOTH of his thumbs? He aggravated one of them 3 minutes into yesterday's game and didn't return...wow. The Mavericks and Blazers provided a thriller, but Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd helped Dallas finish the game on a 23-9 run on the way to a 89-81 win. At one point in the 4th quarter, Dirk scored 12 straight points. Kidd scored 24 points while going 6-of-10 from 3-point range. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points, but Portland will need more out of Brandon Roy, Gerald Wallace and Wesley Matthews, who only managed a combined 12 points. Photo from bleacherreport.com

When the Celtics play the Knicks, massive egos will collide. None bigger than Kevin Garnett and Amare Stoudemire. Whoever wins the matchup between two of the biggest trash-talkers in the NBA may determine who advances. No series has more star power or history, but no series has more questions. In the end, Boston's defense will once again transform into a different monster (as if already being the No. 1 defense in the NBA isn't monstrous enough). Meanwhile, Amare and Melo aren't crafty enough to get KG and Paul Pierce in foul trouble. Some analysts have the Sixers giving the Heat a run. Well, there's gonna be plenty of running between these two fast-break teams, but Miami will do it better. Philly has lost all three meetings to Miami this season by nine points or more. Plus, the Heat are more than capable of beating the 76ers even if Dwyane Wade, LeBron James or Chris Bosh is held in check. In my opinion, I think this will be the only first-round sweep in either conference as the Heat will send a message to the Celtics, who they will likely face in the second round. The series between the Magic and Hawks will be the most competitive of all the first rounders in the East. This is a great matchup for the Hawks, who contrary to popular belief, have found success through defense, not offense. They've also found success against Orlando, winning the last three meetings. However, the return of J.J. Redick will bolster the Magic bench, which will be the difference in a series that will go the distance. The Bulls may have an easy time with the Pacers. However, Indiana is a young team with tons of talent. Much like the Grizzlies, the Pacers can benefit from making things competitive against a top-seeded team. One aspect of this series may reveal just how far the Bulls can actually go in the postseason: The matchup at small forward between Luol Deng and Danny Granger. Deng is the X-factor for the Bulls, and he'll need to play at a higher level if Chicago is to meet its full potential. Photo from boston.cbslocal.com

I give my predictions in this series-by-series breakdown of the matchups in the West. Tomorrow's episode will focus on the East. Although the East has more NBA title contenders, the West will have more competitive first-round matchups. I've had my eye on the series between the Thunder and Nuggets for a long, long time. It features the highest scoring offense in the NBA, Denver, which has eight (yes, eight) players that average in double figures. It also has the fifth highest scoring team in the league in Oklahoma City, which is led by the league's individual scoring leader, Kevin Durant. This series will be filled with energy, not only from the players but from their rabid fan bases as well. Many people believe the Blazers will upset the Mavericks...and so do I. This Portland team is very similar to the fast, long and athletic Golden State team that took down top-seeded Dallas in the 2007 playoffs. Both teams were filled with great swingmen, which will pose a problem for the Mavericks. I also believe many of the questions we always ask about Dallas this time of year have never gone away. The Lakers' win over the Kings last night didn't just earn the two-time defending champs a potential first round sweep against the Hornets, who will be without All Star David West. More importantly, it will give Andrew Bynum all the time he needs to get back to 100% and be ready for a tough second-round series against the winner of the Mavericks-Blazers. And I'm sure it helped Kobe's confidence to put one more dagger in the hearts of Sacramento fans, who witnessed their team rally from 20 points down in the 4th quarter only to be done in by the Black Mamba one more time before they relocate to Anaheim (most likely) by April 18. The Grizzlies may be the No. 8 seed, but they'll give the Spurs a tougher time than the Hornets will give the Lakers. San Antonio is banged up and looks nothing like the dominant team it was in the first half of the season. Meanwhile, Memphis, which lost its best player Rudy Gay after a season-ending injury in February, has still managed to play good basketball and keep its spot in the postseason. That resiliency will pay off for a young team with great potential, even if they're only able to show us that in spurts against the Spurs. Photo from nbcsports.com

Tiger Woods is in a mental struggle for the ages, trying to regain his hold on golf. There's no doubt golf needs Tiger Woods just likes Cycling needed Lance Armstrong. A sport will always benefit from a gold standard. After all, that's how I gained interest in all the sports I follow so closely today. Barry Sanders, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and Roger Federer have showcased the best their respective sports have to offer. And at one point, so did Tiger. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of Tiger, but I am a fan of anybody who can overcome adversity. I explain how if Tiger can once again dominate a sport he ruled for years, his story would resonate as a victory for the human mind. I also get into NBA, College Football, College Basketball and MLB. Photo from gossip.whyfame.com

The UConn players you see there are not celebrating. In fact, they're mourning the death of basketball, which happened at 9:23 p.m. Eastern time when UConn and Butler tipped off for the national title. Somewhere, James Naismith is rolling in his grave. I point out some incredulous stats that reveal why I think this was the worst basketball game ever played, and arguably the worst game in sports history. Here's one stat as an appetizer: The Butler player with the highest shooting percentage? Andrew Smith, who went 2-for-9 from the field... I also discuss the future of college basketball and whether we can expect even more madness like this in the future of March Madness as long as the one-and-done rule is in effect. Later, I talk NFL as Mike Vrabel was arrested for theft at an Indiana casino. I also talk MLB as the most intriguing series you can possibly imagine (based on how the season has started) is about to go down. I also get into news in the Barry Bonds case that could spell the end for the slugger. Photo from latimesblogs.latimes.com

March Madness brought us an incredible tournament, and an unprecedented amount of madness. Tonight, the national champion will be crowned in a matchup where the best player will face off against the best team. Can UConn's Kemba Walker and his sidekick Jeremy Lamb do enough offensively against Butler's brutal defense to come out on top? And can Butler, which seems to always have the right stuff down the stretch, pull one out against Kemba, a player who's made a name for himself by making clutch shots? I give my take on each team, including why Butler is successful and why they'll continue to be successful. I also point out something that UConn is doing that is overlooked by many: playing awesome defense. I break down the matchup and make my prediction. I also get into NBA, Tennis and the biggest surprises from MLB's slate of season-opening series. I mispoke in this episode, the Rangers racked up 26 runs in their 3-game sweep of the Red Sox, not 21. Photo from blog.gotcup.com

Last night, the Lakers and Celtics played like they had something to prove, and they did. Especially the Lakers, who blew out the Mavericks in a chippy contest that saw five players and one fan ejected. I talk about how all three of the two-time defending champions' question marks before the All-Star break have been answered in a big way after the break. Meanwhile, the Celtics handled the Spurs in San Antonio to stay within striking range of Chicago for the top seed in the East. Rajon Rondo was the difference in that game, but I also explain why he'll be the difference against those Bulls if they meet in the playoffs. I also get into opening day in the MLB, Jimmer winning AP Player of the Year, and Tennis, which has two big matchups in Miami, including Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic vs. the new top-ranked American player. Photo from Harry How/Getty Images

LeBron James was a no-show during pregame introductions in his second return to Cleveland last night, which resulted in a 102-90 loss. The King can't continue to hide from the hate. He's a villain, and that's not changing any time soon. Not only does he have to accept that, he has to embrace that the same way the Black Mamba has. Kobe Bryant's hometown of Philadelphia hates him, too. Yet Kobe has "ripped their hearts out" a few times, including once in the NBA Finals. Kobe is not only hated on the court, but off the court as well, even being called a rapist. However, he still thrives on the road better than he does at home and has hit the vast majority of his game-winners in front of opposing crowds on top of that. LeBron has to learn to find pleasure in being one of the most hated players in the NBA in order to be successful. I also talk about Jalen Rose being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, Aqib Talib and his gangster mom, Dez Bryant, ex-Auburn players revealing their experiences with pay-for-play schemes, and the Fiesta Bowl being in jeopardy of losing its status as a major bowl. Photo from bleacherreport.com

What does it mean when you hear someone say, "He just doesn't have...it"? Why do some players or teams have it, but others not? The phrase tends to be used in a universal way, and I think the word does come back to universal elements as I explain. But "it" is used in the same context no matter what sport that athlete or team is in. Allen Iverson, Dan Marino, the Boston Red Sox, more recently LeBron James, and many more. Those players or teams all fell just short of winning a championship on multiple occasions. Either that, or they were uniquely talented athletes that always fell flat in the biggest moments. There's no label in sports more dreaded than not having "it". Some still have the label. Some have shed it. However, these days having that label is tougher than ever. I explain why I believe "it", and the greatness associated with it, can only be created from pain. Photo from thebestten.wordpress.com

I really like college sports, but I simply love pro sports. And don't get me wrong, I really like me some March Madness. I put it third behind the NFL Playoffs and NBA Playoffs. However, March Madness always reminds me why I can never like college sports more than professional sports. I explain how although College Basketball's excitement comes from its unpredictability, that same unpredictability undermines the eventual national champion. Not that they aren't deserving because any team that goes the distance in a tournament/playoff will always be deserving in my opinion. But the bottom line is, NCAA Tournament champions are champions of a level of basketball that consistently shows us how the game isn't supposed to be played. I specifically explain how bad coaching and too many 3-pointers play a central role in that. By the way, how's everyone looking with their brackets? Isn't it funny how when someone asks you that question this deep in the tournament it's usually always a joke? Anyways, our Final Four is Kentucky vs. Duke, and Butler vs. VCU. I give my take on Sunday's Elite Eight action as Kentucky held off North Carolina, and VCU handled top-seeded Kansas. I also get into some NBA as the Lakers continue to roll, now going for possibly the best record in the NBA? Melo says tonight's game with the Magic is a must-win for the struggling Knicks. Gotta talk some Johnny Jolly and his favorite drink. I'll give you a hint: It's purple. And oh yeah, The Masters is right around the corner, everyone. As if that guy that sounds like a pervert in the commercials hasn't informed you. Photo from rivals.yahoo.com

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OVER AT BottomLineSports.net The Sweet 16 put the nation's 3 best players on display for us: Jimmer Fredette, Derrick Williams and Kemba Walker. But which player had the best game? And which player has the best NBA prospects? I get into that after going in-depth with each Sweet 16 game from Thursday. I also give some thoughts on the NBA, including Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy's claim that the media has already pegged the Bulls' Derrick Rose as the MVP, and the Celtics struggles. I also give my take on Deion Sanders' rift with his ex-pupil, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant. Photo from rivals.yahoo.com

One of the most exciting plays in football, the kickoff return, took a big hit after rule changes were made in the NFL. In an era where so many incredible athletes like Devin Hester, Joshua Cribbs, Leon Washington, Brad Smith, Dexter McCluster, Dante Hall, just a name a few, this rule change has a significant impact. I explain how kickers now have two viable options to prevent kick returners from making a play. Nonetheless, one of the new wrinkles added alongside this new rule could be a saving grace. But I also discuss how it's not just kickoff returns that are effected, it's special teams as whole. The one unit in the game that's easily overlooked, but never forgotten. Decisions were made involving official reviews and coach's challenges. I also get into the new cover of Madden NFL 2012, Lawrence Taylor, Ochocinco, NBA and College Basketball. I also have some encouraging words for UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, who criticized his fans for not showing up to watch his Huskies make the Sweet 16. Photo from beargoggleson.com

The Joker is no joke anymore. After being ranked No. 3 in the world for a record period of time, unable to challenge Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer, 23-year-old Novak Djokovic finally broke through and overtook Roger Federer to become the world's No. 2. He beat Federer and Nadal in consecutive matches to take home the Indian Wells title. That's only the latest triumph for the Serb, who won the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, and stands 20-0 on the year. Djokovic already possesses superior groundstrokes, outstanding defense and the best return of serve in the sport. On top of that, Djokovic has reincorporated his old deadly service motion after firing the coach that tried to tinker with it. Now, Djokovic has proven himself to be the best player on hard court, and possibly more. I also give my take on each March Madness game from Sunday, Tennessee firing Bruce Pearl and Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd's latest run-in with the law. Photo from ibtimes.com

For Jon "Bones" Jones, UFC 128 was supposed to be his toughest test. But after stopping Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the 3rd round and becoming the youngest champion in UFC history, the question becomes is there anyone that can test Bones? The answer may come from his former sparring partner, Rashad Evans. After all, Lyoto Machida was looked at as unbeatable before his former sparring partner, Shogun, had the answer for him. Nonetheless, Evans, who was originally supposed to fight Shogun for the belt, recently fired the trainer that coached both him and Jones for a good while. And Evans has made some candid comments about the situation that's unfolded since his knee injury. I discuss Urijah Faber's victory in his UFC debut, and Brendan Schaub's KO of Mirko Cro Cop. I get into some March Madness, which saw its first No. 1 seed, Pittsburgh, go down to Butler in a crazy game on Saturday. Today, North Carolina and Duke won close games while Ohio State routed George Mason. There's also some noteworthy things to mention in College Football, NBA and Tennis. Photo from mmafix.com

And yes, it's First Round, not Second Round 2 to me. I don't care what they officially call it. Teams That Made the Most Noise -North Carolina and Florida. All the No. 2 seeds played well, but these two teams made their presence felt. The Tar Heels racked up 102 points on big efforts from Tyler Zeller (32), John Henson (28) and Harrison Barnes (24). Meanwhile, Florida put on a show, revealing the most balanced offense in the tournament. The Biggest Surprise So Far -The early exits of a pair of Big East teams, Louisville and Georgetown. The Cardinals did lose their best player, but the Hoyas looked like they didn't even belong in the Big Dance. The Most Exciting Finish -That has to go to Morehead State's win over in-state rival Louisville. I tip my hat to Temple and its clutch shot, but that wasn't an upset. Plus, Morehead State's coach had a dream about what happened late in their upset, and it turned out exactly like he planned: Demonte Harper drilling a game-winning 3-pointer with 4.2 seconds left. I also talk about UFC 128, which is tonight. The main event is Jon Jones vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, for Rua's Light Heavyweight belt. Reshad Evans will be next in line for a shot in the division. Also, former WEC Featherweight Champ Urijah Faber will make his highly-anticipated UFC debut against Eddie Wineland. Expect a slugfest there. And Mirko Krokop faces Brendan Schaub. I top it off with some NBA, Tennis and more. Photo from rivals.yahoo.com

Kyrie Irving, one of the best guards in the nation, will return for Duke in its NCAA Tournament opener against Hampton on Friday. Coach K and the rest of his Blue Devils say his return will not ruin the chemistry the team has built in his 3-month absence. After all, Duke only lost four games without him, won the ACC Tournament and claimed a No. 1 seed in the tournament. But I explain two reasons how I think Irving's return could lead to Duke's downfall. 1) It's one thing to try to incorporate a role player, but Irving is not a role player. He's a star. He led the team in points and assists before he got injured 8 games into the season, and he was becoming more and more a part of Duke's offense. His last two games before his right toe injury were monster performances; 2) He's a freshman. You don't think Irving is licking his chops to make an impact for his team? Plus, he makes freshman mistakes. The only downside to Irving is his tendency to turn the ball over. With all the time he's missed and not being at 100% health, that trend is more likely to continue. The bottom line is, Coach K has a tough task converting a star player into a role player, especially during March Madness. I also talk about Bruce Pearl, NBA action from last night, and some NHL. Photo from masslive.com

The Bulls just keeping surpassing all of our expectations, and they did it again last night. Chicago claimed the top seed in the Eastern Conference with its win over Washington. What does this mean for Chicago? A lot. The Bulls are 30-4 at home, which is second best in the NBA. Regardless, the Bulls are playing championship basketball, boasting the best defense in the league. Plus, Derrick Rose has put himself in the same sentence with the best players in the game. But does all this add up to an NBA Finals appearance? I explain how I think there's still one team that will stand in their way. There's some other things worth mentioning in the NBA, including the best first round matchup in the playoffs (and it's not in the East). I talk some March Madness. Kyle Irving is comin back for Duke?? I also touch on the NFL, which is looking at some big rule changes next season. Photo from shattertheglass.com

College Basketball's orgasm-inducing tournament is back, everyone. Prepare to witness more buzzer-beaters in a 21-day span than you can keep track of, and get ready to lose most of your hair while trying to fill out your brackets. On Selection Sunday, it was announced that the four No. 1 seeds are: Ohio State (overall), Duke, Kansas and Pittsburgh. I give my opinion on what really makes March Madness the incredible sporting event that it is, one that makes up 9o% of the NCAA's revenue. I also talk about what my deciding factor is when it comes to games that seem like toss-ups. I encourage you guys to comment on what you deem is most important when making your predictions. Plus, Charles Barkley retaliates to comments from former CBS sportscaster Billy Packer. I also talk some NBA and mixed martial arts as the UFC bought out Strikeforce on Saturday. Photo from sportschump.net

If a team ever needed a regular-season win, it was Miami last night. The Heat got it with a 94-88 win over the Lakers at home. They did it with great defense, which hadn't been anywhere near what it was earlier in the season when the team was at its most confident. But last night they sealed the game with the type of defense that causes turnovers. Dwyane Wade stole the ball from Kobe Bryant late and threw the ball ahead to a streaking LeBron James for the decisive jam. However, the Heat have struggled to force other teams to commit turnovers. Miami is currently 27th in the NBA this season in that department. They have to get more points off turnovers due to the team's struggles in its half-court offense...who would have thought Miami would be more lost offensively than defensively before the season started? Nonetheless, last night's play should stick in their memories and serve them well the rest of the way. I also talk College Basketball and give a conference-by-conference breakdown as league tournaments are underway. I also discuss the new developments regarding Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, and the big hit in the NHL that is now being investigated by Montreal police. Photo from liveflashscore.com

Tiki Barber, who turns 36 in April, filed his papers to unretire on Tuesday. As a Giants fan, I don't like the way he left the game in 2006, and then used his new job in the media to criticize the team first chance he got. I don't think anyone does. But there's 3 reasons why I think Tiki, one of the best pass-catching running backs in history, can still be a productive player in the NFL: 1) He has a massive chip on his shoulder after what happened in N.Y.; 2) He has the blueprint: LaDainian Tomlinson, who has the same trainer as Tiki Barber; 3) He would have added motivation if he played in Tampa Bay alongside his twin brother Ronde, who he's always had a sibling rivalry with. I'm not saying to pick him up in your fantasy football draft, but you can't overlook Tiki's resume: -One of only 3 backs in NFL history to gain more than 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards -Four seasons of 2,000 or more total yards. Only Marshall Faulk, Brian Mitchell and Dante Hall have done that. -Five 200-yard rushing games, 3 of those were in one season, only O.J. and Earl Campbell have matched that or beat that. -Only player in history to lead his team in rushing 80 consecutive games. Plus, most teams use 3 RBs anyways, who split carries. At the least, he could be a nice added dimension for a coach that knows how to use him. How about in Denver with former long-time Giants defensive coordinator John Fox, who needs a RB right now? I also talk about Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and a joke of a punishment the Buckeyes handed him, and the Heat's fifth straight loss. Photo from BostonHerald.com

A fight for the ages could be on the horizon in mixed martial arts. UFC President Dana White has said that if George "Rush" St. Pierre defeats Jake Shields at UFC 129 on April 10th in Toronto, St. Pierre could make a move to Middleweight for a superfight with Anderson "The Spider" Silva, pitting arguably the two greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history against each other in the octagon. I explain how making dream fights like this a reality has helped the UFC separate itself from Boxing, which tends to disappoint in that department. Even if Boxing does make it happen, it's a painstakingly slow process, and the fights aren't likely to live up to the expectations the same way UFC's big fights do. But there's more. If St. Pierre were to move to Middleweight, the Welterweight belt would be vacant. Does this call for a tournament in the UFC's deepest division? After all, the UFC owes some of its popularity to tournaments in the past. Other leagues like Strikeforce and the Bellator Fighting Championships are currently doing tournaments that are gaining a lot of attention as we speak. Aren't tournaments/playoffs more exciting anyways? Photo from dailycontributor.com

The Lakers emphatically ended the Spurs' franchise-record 22-game home winning streak on Sunday with a 99-83 win. L.A. was up by more than 20 points in the first quarter, and went up by as much as 32 in the third quarter. The Bulls beat the Heat 87-86 to sweep the season series with Miami. The late-game woes for the Heat continue as the team is now 1-for-18 from the field when they're down by 3 points or less with 10 seconds left in fourth quarter or overtime. Supposedly, members of the team were crying in the locker room after the game. I explain how Sunday revealed 2 reasons why San Antonio can't beat L.A. in a 7-game series, and what the Lakers proved in the win. I also talk about the Bulls taking over the 2nd seed in the East and why I think they have a shot at catching the Celtics for the top seed, and why LeBron James is having trouble sacrificing something much greater than stats or awards. Until he does, the Heat will keep coming up short. Later I mention something that the Lakers, Celtics, Spurs and Bulls all have in common that serves as a sign that they are true title contenders. Photo from ibtimes.com

There's 3 key ingredients to a truly great rivalry. I call them the 3 H's: Hatred, History and High Stakes. Duke-North Carolina has every one of those. And this is the fifth straight year these teams have provided us with a regular-season finale with a league title up for grabs. Tonight's game is gonna be very interesting, because Duke has been getting more attention all year. After all, they are the defending national champs, and they've only lost 3 games this year. Meanwhile, North Carolina has been flying under the radar a little. Early non-conference losses, a blowout at the hands of Georgia Tech, and a second half meltdown in the first meeting with Duke has everyone unsure of the Tar Heels' potential. But what do you know, both teams are 13-2 in ACC play. I give my opinion on whether Duke's perimeter play will outdo North Carolina's power in the paint. T's Top 5 Rivalries Right Now: 1) Yankees-Red Sox 2) Duke-North Carolina 3) Lakers-Celtics 4) Steelers-Ravens 5) Oklahoma-Texas I also shed light on other big games in College Basketball along with some College Football, NBA and NFL talk. Photo from complex.com

The Heat led the Magic 73-49 early in the third quarter. A 24-point lead...that was until Orlando went on a 40-9 run and pulled off the second-biggest comeback in Magic history, winning 99-96. What makes the Magic such a mystery? What is their key to success now? I'll explain another key, which could lead to their ultimate success. And I'll also explain why last night's win isn't exactly the kind of win Orlando needs heading into the playoffs. As far as the Heat go, the trend with the late-game collapses continue. That's due to Dwyane Wade relinquishing his role as the team's leader. It's LeBron's team now, and there's no turning back. Photo by westorlandonews.com

UPDATE: NFL and NFLPA agree to 7-day extension on expiration of collective bargaining agreement. We may be in for a long summer, not knowing whether fall will bring us our football. It's hard to imagine, but it seems very likely that we won't know until at least September. Although both sides have good points to make, the owners have the league's best interests in mind: 1) A rookie wage scale (that way unproven players aren't taking proven players' and retired players' money) 2) Two preseason games instead of four (although I don't think it's in the best interest of players to extend the regular season to 18 games) 3) New stadiums for existing teams and new teams 4) More investment in technology 5) Marketing internationally Meanwhile, the NFL Players Union doesn't want any major changes to the current agreement. Know why? Players get to keep 60% of all available revenue, and their contracts have doubled in the past decade. Also, NCAA President Mark Emmert - who took the job 5 months ago - made new comments that have me very optimistic about a College Football Playoff. I also give my reaction to Wednesday's action in the NBA and College Basketball, including No. 3 BYU getting beat down without big man Brandon Davies. Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

No. 14 Florida is the biggest sleeper team in the nation right now, and lived up to that in an incredible second-half display against Alabama on Tuesday night. This group of Gators didn't become a sleeper team without shaking some nightmares first. The two years following the program's back-to-back national championships brought turmoil, underachievement and embarrassment. Now the tight-knit group is playing for one another, and playing with a chip on its shoulder. A deadly combination. With a share of the SEC regular-season title already clinched, this deep and talented Gators squad seems prime to bite a few teams when it's time to dance. In other College Basketball news, No. 3 BYU's frontcourt takes another hit, and No. 2 Kansas reinstates Tyshawn Taylor. I also get into NFL news related to Bengals QB Carson Palmer, Blaine Gabbert at the Combine and the NFL labor issues. I give my reaction to NBA action from last night. And can we do away with these overdramatic Masters commercials?? Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

How do the Heat plan on beating the Celtics without nearly the same clutch capabilities? And we can safely assume LeBron is not a clutch player, because first of all, he said so himself. And second of all, he's never proven he can be trusted with the ball in his hands late in games. So why do the Heat keep giving him the ball? The key to their success is giving the keys to the car back to its rightful owner, Dwyane Wade. After all, he's the one that deferred to LeBron from the moment he arrived in Miami. That has to change, and it's pretty obvious, because the Heat are 5-11 in games decided by 5 points or less. Sunday's 91-86 loss to the Knicks was No. 11 in that category. I also give my reaction to College Basketball action over the weekend. T's Top 5: 1) Ohio State 2) Pittsburgh 3) Duke 4) Kansas 5) BYU Photo from flickr.com

Although I can't criticize Rex Ryan as a coach, I do see a problem with his third Super Bowl guarantee in 3 years. Some people say he doesn't care about what the media says. Well, if this is meant for his players and coaches, why does he feel the need to make a Super Bowl guarantee to the media? He says he doesn't feel the weight of the players or fans on HIS shoulders, but what about the weight he's putting on young quarterback Mark Sanchez's shoulders? He also said, “Somebody tell me why I shouldn't believe that we deserve to be a champion.” Where do I start? Among many other things, guaranteeing a Super Bowl in the NFC isn't the same as guaranteeing a Super Bowl in the AFC. Plus, Rex Ryan might be a good leader, but you need a leader ON THE FIELD, which I don't think he has. The bottom line is, I'm not saying if he doesn't bank on this guarantee that it'll be a 3 strikes and you're out deal. However, if the 3rd strike is a whiff this year, he could be well on his way. Along with any other coach in the NFL. Photo from nydailynews.com

The Bulls win over the Heat last night revealed a lot about both teams. And if he hadn't already done it before, Derrick Rose proved that his game has reached a whole different level now. Also, the new-look Nuggets, now with a very talented roster from top to bottom, showed awesome potential in an impressive win over the Celtics last night. Can they show us the same thing tonight against the other sleeper in the West, the Blazers? Plus, with the Thunder trading for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, does that make them a legit contender in the West? And as for Boston, has it taken a step back? Photo from chicagotribune.com

T's Top 5 NFL Prospects 1) Nick Fairley 2) Da'Quan Bowers 3) Patrick Peterson 4) A.J. Green 5) Cameron Newton Auburn DT Nick Fairley came up huge for his team in big games, including the national championship game. That's unlike Bowers, who was a non-factor in Clemson's last two games of the season. LSU CB Patrick Peterson is the best athlete in the draft. Shutdown corner. Great tackler. Difference-maker with the ball in his hands. Georgia WR A.J. Green reminds me of Jerry Rice with his slender build, smooth route-running, leaping ability and incredible hands. People are probably gonna criticize his 40-speed, but that shouldn't be a concern. Auburn QB Cam Newton, although he seems to have the physical skill-set, will still have the same questions that surrounded Tim Tebow: How much can he improve as a pocket-passer? Can he make those second and third reads if the primary receiver isn't open? Is he gonna trust his legs too much when a play breaks down? If he does, can they take the punishment? I also give comments on some revealing things from NBA action last night and the violations Bruce Pearl and Lane Kiffin were cited for. Photo from nepatriotsdraft.com

I explain why everyone from schools AND fans should all want what I think would become the mother of all sports events. For fans opposed to it, don't you want more than one meaningful game a year? Don't mistake the regular season for being a playoff. How do we determine after a whole season is over that only TWO teams are worthy of playing for a national title? Mighty Auburn won 7 games last season by only one possession, beating Clemson, Mississippi State and Kentucky of all teams by only 3 points. Don't give me the argument that some teams can't handle the "gauntlet" that teams go through in the 6 major conferences. The SEC is the only league with a gauntlet. The Pac-10 and Big East are a joke, and teams like TCU would be very successful in those conferences. Another reason a playoff would get our attention: Inter-conference play and the intriguing matchups that would result from it. From all the schools' standpoint, I explain how 106 out of 120 athletic departments LOST money in 2009 and the trend continues. Photo from rivals.yahoo.com

As if 5 contenders wasn't enough to make these playoffs ridiculous already. Now we've got half a dozen contenders for an NBA title. With the Knicks' addition of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, New York will be a tough out in this year's playoffs and many more to come. Three-team trade breakdown -The Knicks get Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman from the Nuggets. New York also gets Corey Brewer from the Timberwolves. -The Nuggets get Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Galinari and Timofey Mozgov, along with a 2014 first round pick, some more undisclosed picks and cash from the Knicks. -The Timberwolves get Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph from the Knicks. Photo from marketingaffiliategroup.com

With No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Pitt all going down this past weekend, Duke rose to No. 1. The Blue Devils have looked dominant, but they're feasting on a weak ACC. Meanwhile, Pitt has proven itself to be the best team in the nation's best conference. Ashton Gibbs, Brad Wanamaker, Gilbert Brown and co. have shown the defense, versatility and execution that I think makes them the team to beat under head coach Jamie Dixon. T's Top 5: 1) Pittsburgh 2) Ohio State 3) Duke 4) Kansas 5) Texas Photo from washingtonpost.com

Serge Ibaka's dunk from the FT line was legit and stood tall against worse attempts from legends in the past. JaVale McGee may have solidified himself as the best 7-foot dunker in history with his Reverse Windshield Wiper from under the rim. And DeMar DeRozan's One-handed Reverse Windmill off the bounce was the dunk of the night. Nonetheless, the Slam Dunk Contest is one of the NBA's most untapped resources for gaining popularity. We can't simply forget the hype that "Michael Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins" generated over 3 battles in the event. If anything, superstars need to return in order to provide us with a long-lasting window into their athletic primes. The Slam Dunk Contest gives us memories back to when those players ruled the one spot on the floor EVERY little baller dreams of ruling when they're little: And that's above the rim. Photo taken by Sports Illustrated

Which one of these young stars has had the more impressive season halfway through the NBA season? Scoring Kevin Love: 21.1 points per game Blake Griffin: 22.8 points per game Rebounding Kevin Love: 15.5 rebounds per game (1st in the NBA) Blake Griffin: 12.6 rebounds per game (4th best in the NBA) Photo by uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

It's gotten to the point where more people pay attention to whether Ohio State's five-star quarterback Braxton Miller even PUTS the hat on rather than watching to see what Terrelle Pryor DOES with his helmet ON. There's also 2 growing trends in recruiting that I don't like. Photo from topics.cleveland.com

L.A. hit a new low in its 104-99 loss to Cleveland. But there's still 2 things that should keep Lakers fans calm. Photo by lakersblog.latimes.com

A lot of people feel both of these teams could be a threat to the Celtics and Heat in the playoffs. But which team would prevail in a playoff series? Photo by newshopper. sulekha.com