NBA playoffs on ESPN, ESPN2 and TNT
Second-round games in both the Eastern and Western Conference begin Monday with a Game 1 doubleheader starting at 8 p.m. (Celtics at Cavaliers followed by Spurs at Suns).

Golf » The Players Championship
First- and second-round action at TPC Sawgrass will be aired on Thursday and Friday from 1-7 p.m. on the Golf Channel. The final rounds will be covered on Saturday and Sunday on NBC from 2-7 p.m. — Jim Williams

BOLD PREDICTIONS

1. Spurs over Suns » When San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said his Spurs “played like dogs” after a Game 1 loss in Dallas, eyebrows were raised. Was this the beginning of the end of an aging, once-powerful franchise? But Popovich was just pushing his team’s buttons, and the right ones apparently, as the seventh-seeded Spurs stole the home court advantage in the next game in Dallas, then went on to wrap up the series, 4-2. Now it’s on to the next round as the seventh-seeded Spurs will take out the third-seeded Suns. This is a similar matchup, as the Spurs face another jump-shooting team. The Spurs’ start four older players — Antonio McDyess (35), Tim Duncan (34), Manu Ginobili (32), Richard Jefferson (29) — but they are as healthy as they’ve been this season and their preference for half-court basketball suits the playoff bump and grind. Forget their seed. They won 50 games this year. They are as good as any of the teams in the Western Conference. — Kevin Dunleavy

2. The 2011 NCAA Tournament will be more entertaining, but bracket pool participation will drop » Why is it amazing when the NCAA doesn’t make a knucklehead decision? But thankfully, common sense did prevail somewhat last week with the decision to expand the men’s basketball tournament only to 68 games, not 96. Even better, the board wants the expanded opening round to have more significance — which should mean at-large teams (Virginia Tech already should be making its reservation) in do-or-die situations, not four unwatchable contests between No. 15 and No. 16 seeds that will get pummeled in the tournament proper anyway. The problem is, with barely 48 hours to fill out a bracket instead of four days, the cottage industries and office pools that are the lifeblood of the tournament’s buzz will suffer. For every person that doesn’t have a bracket, that’s one less TV viewer and fewer buckaroos for the NCAA — which is supposed to be the point, right? — Craig Stouffer

3. Jimmy Clausen will be a better pro than Tim Tebow » Let’s start with one premise: we agreed with ESPN’s Todd McShay about Clausen. He was not, and never should have been, considered a top-10 pick. One of the biggest whiffs of Mel Kiper’s career; too many scouts and executives had him pegged as a second-rounder. But we do think he’ll be a better pro than Tebow, who was drafted 23 spots ahead of him by Denver. Tebow is a terrific guy, etc., etc. But he has too many flaws to fix. When quarterbacks are used to running as a second option, it doesn’t work (ask Shuler, Heath). Clausen has a solid arm, good accuracy and is tough. He’s also decisive. All qualities that everyone looks for in a quarterback. He was not the best QB in this draft, but Tebow was not the second best QB. Carolina got a future starter in Clausen; Denver got the marketing tool. But the Broncos did not get the better QB. — John Keim

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jaroslav Halak, G, Montreal Canadiens
He’s the man Caps fans now love to hate — no, we’re not talking about Mike Green. Halak was outstanding during the three-game rally that led the Canadiens into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The question is, can the netminder continue his hot streak? It seems so long ago that he was lifted in Game 3, when the Caps abused both Montreal goalies. However, since getting back between the pipes in Game 5, the term “standing on his head” became quite common. Pittsburgh is built a little differently and you can be sure the Penguins were watching how the Habs handled the Caps over the last week. The talent level of the defending Stanley Cup champs is still pretty high, but will they be able to solve Halak? — Leon Saffelle

FIVE UP & FIVE DOWN


UP

1. Jaroslav Halak » Canadiens goalie stopped 131 of 134 shots in final three games vs. Capitals in Round 1. Can he keep it up?

2. Ted Leonsis » His sports empire is growing, which is good news for the success-starved Washington sports market.

3. Tyreke Evans » Was named NBA rookie of the year over fellow guards Brandon Jennings and Steph Curry.

4. Kelly Johnson » Diamondbacks journeyman second baseman leads the National League in home runs (9).

5. Celtics » Pulled it together against Wade and the Heat. Can they do same in Round 2 against LeBron and the Cavs?


DOWN
1. Mavericks » Mark Cuban’s boys — aka the Dallas Wizards — have lost four of their last five playoff series.

2. Kentucky Derby » Has there ever been this little buzz leading up to the Run for the Roses?

3. Alex Ovechkin » Questions mounting about his ability to lead after another Caps’ playoff implosion.

4. Jason Campbell » Only worth a 4th round pick in draft-day trade, and going to the dismal Raiders.

5. Orioles » As of Friday, O’s had half as many wins (4) as next worst team in MLB.

— Kevin Dunleavy