Week Ahead

THURSDAY 5/18

NBA Playoffs , Suns at Clippers
The Pacific Division rivals meet for Game 6 of their series, which L.A. knotted at two games apiece with a win on Sunday (page 46). Win or lose, the Clippers have done something few other teams have: bottle up Steve Nash (above). The NBA 's MVP hasn't scored more than 14 points since Game 1. "The way they're playing me," he said on Sunday, "I'm not going to have a prolific scoring series." ESPN Check listings

SATURDAY 5/20

Yankees at Mets
The Subway Series has been one-sided since interleague play began in 1997. The Bombers are 29-19 against the Amazin's, and that doesn't count their five-game win in the 2000 World Series. But then again, none of those Yankees teams had to rely on Bubba Crosby and Melky Cabrera (right) to shoulder a load, as this year's injury-depleted squad must. The career backup and the rookie are now starting in the Bronx Bombers ' outfield. Fox 1 p.m.

Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Rocky Juarez
The 32-year-old Barrera (61-4) has won some epic battles--including his victory over Erik Morales in The Ring's 2004 Fight of the Year. Now his junior lightweight belt is on the line against 26-year-old Juarez (25-1), the 2000 Olympic silver medalist. HBO 10:30 p.m.

SI PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY 5/20

On the Go
Former UCLA coach John Wooden once said that if you want to learn how to play the game, watch the WNBA . Well, get ready for more lessons: The WNBA is back. The latest NBA face to cross over to the women's game is former Lakers , Bulls and Nuggets coach Paul Westhead (right), who will install his high-octane offense in Phoenix , which has missed the playoffs in each of the past five years. The Mercury's new attack will be run by All-Star Diana Taurasi (left); her first test comes today in Sacramento against the defending champion Monarchs. ABC 4 p.m.

SUNDAY 5/21

Arena Football Playoffs, Georgia Force at New York Dragons
The Dragons' newest weapon is 5'5" Mutsumi Takahashi (left), the first Japanese native to play pro football in the U.S. The elusive offensive specialist gives Georgia one more thing to worry about; on May 6 the Force gave up two TD receptions to Maurice Brown in a 47-35 Dragons win. NBC 3 p.m.

TUESDAY 5/23

Morocco at United States
When you hear " Morocco ," you don't think soccer superpower, but the first of three pre--World Cup warmups, in Nashville , won't be easy for Landon Donovan (left) and the lads. Morocco , ranked 36th in the world, just missed out on a World Cup berth when Tunisia scored a late goal in their final qualifying match. ESPN2 7 p.m.