Week Ahead

THURSDAY 5/3
NBA Playoffs: Rockets at Jazz
After failing to advance past the first round in his first five postseason appearances, Houston forward Tracy McGrady looked as if he might get off the schneid when the Rockets took a 2--0 lead against Utah. But the Jazz won twice at 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 the first four games.
Check listings

Mariners at Red Sox
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 faced his countryman in the U.S., on April 11 in Boston, Ichiro (right) went 0 for 4 with 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-hour cycling distance record in 1993, hits the big screen. Jonny Lee Miller plays the hero, who broke the mark on a bike he built out of scrap metal and washing machine 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 described fishing with his dad), he became the first fan to have his name attached to a major sporting event, this week's Nextel Cup race. On the track Dale Earnhardt Jr. could continue his charge toward the top 10: He has risen from 18th to 13th in the Cup standings in the past two weeks, and he won at Richmond last year.
FOX 7 p.m.

Sunshine State Smash
The two-year-old Beach Tennis USA circuit stages its first major event of the season. 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 THE WEEK

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 to another elite trainer: Steve Asmussen, whose colt Curlin (left) romped to a 10 1/2-length victory at the Arkansas Derby. Curlin is scary fast, but he's also inexperienced—he's bidding to become the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win 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 to win the Run for the Roses in 23 years.
NBC 4:30 p.m.