Dennis Wierzbicki/US PresswireNBA: Three first-round playoff series continues tonight. The East's top team takes a 2-0 series lead to Indianapolis, thanks in large part to Derrick Rose, the first Bull with back-to-back 35-point playoff games since some guy named Michael Jordan in 1998. Can the Pacers slow down the MVP favorite and protect their home court? Indiana has never rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to win a playoff series (7 p.m., NBA TV). ... LeBron James and the Heat take a 2-0 series lead to Philadelphia after a dominating Game 2 win in Miami. The Heat have won all five games against the Sixers this season and look to make it six straight tonight (8 p.m., TNT). ... Dirk Nowitzki stepping up for the Mavericks isn't a surprise, but a resurgent Jason Kidd (21.0 ppg) has been a major factor in Dallas' 2-0 series lead over the Trail Blazers. Portland hasn't won a playoff series since 2000, and if it doesn't win at home tonight (10:30 p.m., TNT) that streak will probably continue for at least one more season.
NHL: The quest for Lord Stanley's cup continues with three more quarterfinal games. Montreal leads Boston 2-1 with a crucial Game 4 tonight at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The Bruins are the only team in this year's playoffs without a power-play goal (0-11). Neither team has won at home yet this series (7 p.m., Versus). ... The Canucks lead the Blackhawks 3-1 and the Western Conference's top seed looks to take out the defending Stanley Cup champions with a win at home (10 p.m., Versus). ... The Sharks lead the Kings 2-1 and have played arguably the best quarterfinal series so far. It will be hard to top Tuesday night's 6-5 overtime comeback thriller won by San Jose (10:30 p.m.).
MLB: There are 11 MLB games on the docket today, highlighted by an AL Central battle between the Indians and Royals (Josh Tomlin vs. Sean O'Sullivan, 8:10 p.m.). ... The resurgent Rays, winners of eight of their last 10, host the struggling White Sox, who have lost seven straight (Gavin Floyd vs. Jeff Niemann, 6:40 p.m.). ... The Red Sox finally won their first road game Wednesday. Can they make it two straight when they visit the Angels (Josh Beckett vs. Tyler Chatwood, 10:05 p.m.)? ... The National League has several afternoon games on tap, including Arizona at Cincinnati. It's pitcher Mike Leake's first start for the Reds since being arrested for shoplifting earlier this week (Daniel Hudson vs. Leake, 12:35 p.m.).
Information from ESPN Stats & Information was used in this report.
