SPORTS Updates 05 17 2011

WELCOME - GLOBAL SPORTS Fans this Tuesday, MAY 17, 2011 !




NBA - The Bulls might have the perfect blueprint to beating the Heat in the East finals. Kevin Durant and OKC traveled a long road to the West finals. Older Mavericks face maturing Thunder, Series-Deng-James matchup key in East finals.



PLAYOFF TODAY - THUNDER (0) at MAVERICKS (0) 9:00 PM ET.




NHL - The Sharks have blown third-period leads and lost three times in the last four games but Todd McLellan isn't panicking. Henrik and Daniel Sedin performed just when the Canucks needed them most.



TODAY'S GAME - LIGHTNING (1) at BRUINS (0) 8 PM EDT.




MLB - Athletes are frequently the last to acknowledge their skills have eroded beyond repair. It's a cruel twist for aging players. Rays rally as Yanks lose 6th straight. Crane-led group to buy Astros for $680M. BoSox win on Gonzalez's walk-off double, Indians score 14 off Mazzaro. Cards beat Phils; La Russa returns. Pujols to 3rd. Rockies rally past wild Lincecum, Giants. Gomes' HR caps Reds' 7-run rally in win. Pineda helps Mariners snap 6-game skid.



2011 MLB TODAY - NL - EIGHT (8) GAMES and AL - SEVEN (7) GAMES!





NASCAR - Carl Edwards had another win slip through his fingers no thanks to a bad call on pit road. Still, he's the No. 1 contender. Matt Kenseth's win in the FedEx 400 shows why gambling on pit road is NASCAR's newest trend. After years of complaining, Fox unveiled a split-screen look during commercials.



NEXT NASCAR SPRING CUP RACE - May 21 -7:30 pm -SPD- Sprint Showdown - Charlotte Motor Speedway - Concord, NC.



GOLF - K.J. Choi, known as The Tank, proved once again at the Players that he produces his best golf on the biggest stages,Choi tops Toms in playoff to win Players. 2018 Ryder Cup- For the first time, French organizers will host the biennial match pitting Europe against the United States of America.



PGA Tour 2011 Schedule - May 19 - 22 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
Purse: $6,200,000 Colonial Country Club Course - Fort Worth, Texas




TENNIS - Clay has never been Maria Sharapova's best surface, but she'll be a legitimate threat at the French Open after winning the Italian Open. Dulgheru, Peng reach Round 2 of Brussels Open. Hradecka, Zhang win in Strasbourg International.



SOCCER - MLS - An injury to Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon drops him from MVP consideration for now – and opens the door for others to contend. Week's Best XI: Reis stars in net for Revolution. United's Boskovic out six months with torn ACL.



NFL - Court favors NFL lockoutThe 8th circuit grants a permanent stay to the lockout, a big win for Roger Goodell and his bosses. The players must do what's best, realize they've all but lost.



NCAA FOOTBALL - Former Ohio State star Eddie George has been selected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Getting the ball rolling- Hundreds have died and thousands are affected by tornadoes that destroyed much of the South, namely Alabama. The new-look NCAA could help launch a Tide-Tigers scrimmage to aid rebuilding efforts!



UFC - Rashad Evans is ready for Phil Davis, but he still doubts why his title fight with Jon Jones was canceled.



BOXING - Andre Ward may not be exciting to watch – but as his defeat of Arthur Abraham showed, he's becoming one of the best fighters of his time.



HORSE RACING - Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom seems content at Herringswell Stables and may not go to Pimlico until Saturday, the day of the Preakness. Sixteen horses in contention for 14 spots. Animal Kingdom favorite to win second leg.




POKER - Players are in action across the U.S. and solid participation in both tournaments and cash games might be offering the industry a little optimism prior ot the start of the WSOP.