Daily Ticket: The Blog

Tuesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. The Dallas Mavericks open their NBA Finals series tonight against the Miami Heat as a team focused on completing unfinished business (8 p.m., ESPN).

2. Jennifer Floyd Engel: There is more than an NBA championship on the line when the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat tip off tonight. This series is about what's right and good in sports.

3. Mavs notes: It has been eight years since Jason Kidd last played in the NBA Finals, and he never thought it would take that long to return.

4. Texas Rangers 11, Tampa Bay Rays 5: Mike Napoli hit two home runs and drove in five runs as the Rangers set a franchise record by homering four times in three consecutive games. Game 2 of the series is today in Tampa (5:40 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

5. Rangers notes: Matt Harrison expects to make his next start with no problems despite the blister that developed in his last outing.

6. The three teams joining TCU at its NCAA baseball regional are Oklahoma, Dallas Baptist and Oral Roberts. Games begin Friday.

-- David Thomas

Monday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler ...

1. It's no surprise, but the biggest challenge the Dallas Mavericks will face in the NBA Finals is controlling LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Game 1 is Tuesday night in Miami.

2. Mavs notes: The Mavs have won Game 1 in their previous three seasons and are hoping to do so again against the Heat.

3. Texas Rangers 7, Kansas City Royals 6: The Rangers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to take two of three from the Royals. The Rangers begin a three-game series at the Tampa Bay Rays today (5:40 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

4. Jimmy Burch: HP Byron Nelson Championship winner Keegan Bradley founding playing alongside amateur Jordan Spieth good preparation for the playoff he won for his first victory on the PGA Tour.

5. Gil LeBreton: The course and its spot on the PGA Tour schedule have hurt the Nelson.

6. Despite not winning the Mountain West Conference tournament, TCU was one of 16 teams selected to host an NCAA regional baseball tournament. The three teams coming to Fort Worth will be announced today.

-- David Thomas

Friday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Jason Terry was the starting point guard the last time the Dallas Mavericks played for an NBA championship. Now he is one of the NBA's best reserves, and another chance at a title is special for him.

2. Tickets for the Mavs' home games against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals go on sale Saturday morning.

3. Alexi Ogando has a 1.89 ERA, and he won't be moving back to the Texas Rangers' bullpen.

4. TCU 12, BYU 5: The Horned Frogs won the elimination game in the Mountain West tournament to advance to face Utah today (5 p.m., CBS College Sports, The Mtn.)

5. Gil LeBreton: How the NCAA sets pairings for regional baseball tournaments can be curious.

6. Jimmy Burch: The switch in dates for the HP Byron Nelson Championship has been a good thing for Westlake resident Brandt Jobe.

-- David Thomas

Thursday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 100, Oklahoma City Thunder 96: The Mavs clinched the series with a 14-4 run over the final 4:27. The Mavs now await the winner of the Miami Heat-Chicago Bulls series.

2. Randy Galloway: With the Heat most likely next up, the Mavs will have backers from all across the country.

3. Jennifer Floyd Engel: All hopes of defeating the Heat (should that series play out as expected) are pinned on Dirk Nowitzki playing as he did against Oklahoma City.

4. Texas Rangers 2, Chicago White Sox 1: C.J. Wilson allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings and the Rangers took two of three from the ChiSox. The Rangers are off today before hosting the Kansas City Royals for three games.

5. Rangers notes: Josh Hamilton has experienced no problems in his return from injury and could be back in the outfield this weekend.

6. Jimmy Burch: Fort Worth's Jason Day, the defending champion at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, said he is benefiting from a reluctant visit with a sports psychologist.

-- David Thomas

Wednesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Chicago White Sox 8, Texas Rangers 6: Carlos Quentin hit three homers for the White Sox in a game that didn't end until almost 1:30 a.m. because of a long rain delay. The teams wrap up their three-game series with a day game today in Arlington (1:05 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

2. Rangers notes: Josh Hamilton said he's ready to play in the outfield, but he probably won't do so until the weekend.

3. The Dallas Mavericks are beginning to take on the look of a team of destiny. They try to close out the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in Game 5 in Dallas (8 p.m., ESPN).

4. Gil LeBreton: The greatness of Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd has been on display for all to see throughout this postseason.

5. Mavs notes: At 38, Kidd still is keeping up with the kids.

6. TCU outfielder Brance Rivera, a .333 hitter, has led the Horned Frogs' offense all season. TCU opens play in the Mountain West Conference tournament tonight against New Mexico (9 p.m., The Mtn., CBS College Sports).

-- David Thomas

Tuesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 112, Oklahoma City Thunder 105 (OT): The Mavs overcame a 15-point deficit in the final five minutes to take a 3-1 series lead, with Game 5 Wednesday in Dallas.

2. Randy Galloway: Dirk Nowitzki (40 points) made this stunning victory possible.

3. Mavs notes: The Thunder lost for the first time in the playoffs when coming off a loss.

4. Texas Rangers 4, Chicago White Sox 0: Alexi Ogando threw a complete-game shutout and Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz homered in their first games back. The teams play again tonight in Arlington (7:05 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

5. Rangers notes: Reliever Yoshimori Tateyama has been called up from Triple-A Round Rock, where he had a 1-0 record with a 2.14 ERA.

6. Jennifer Floyd Engel: I really want to believe Lance Armstrong was clean, and I still do. For now.

-- David Thomas

Monday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. David Toms took the lead with an eagle on the 11th hole then held off Charlie Wi to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

2. Gil LeBreton: Colonial's newest champion had begun to wonder if he would ever win again.

3. Jason Kidd's season has been the worst of his 17-year career from a statistical standpoint, but he continues to prove his value to the Dallas Mavericks. Game 4 is tonight in Oklahoma City (8 p.m., ESPN).

4. Randy Galloway: That the Mavs won Game 3 despite poor shooting nights from Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry should bode well for them heading into tonight's game.

5. Texas Rangers 2, Philadelphia Phillies 0: Matt Harrison pitched 8 1/3 shutout innings as the Rangers ended a three-game losing streak. The Rangers are back home to host the Chicago White Sox tonight (7:05 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

6. Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz have completed their rehab assignments and are expected to rejoin the Rangers tonight.

-- David Thomas

Friday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 106, Dallas Mavericks 100: A big fourth quarter by the Thunder's bench evened the series at 1-1. Game 3 is Saturday in Oklahoma City.

2. Randy Galloway: Don't let anyone tell you Oklahoma City "stole" a road win. The Thunder simply was the better team and now controls this series.

3. Jennifer Floyd Engel: Why didn't the Mavs keep getting the ball to Dirk Nowitzki?

4. David Toms and Chez Reavie each shot 8-under 62 to share the first-round lead at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

5. Colonial notes: Sergio Garcia shot 66 in his first round at Colonial since 2005.

6. Kansas City Royals 2, Texas Rangers 1 (10): Neftali Feliz blew his second consecutive save opportunity and Darren Oliver took the loss. The Rangers open interleague play today, starting a three-game series at the Philadelphia Phillies (6:05 p.m., KTXA/Channel 21).

-- David Thomas

Thursday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. J.J. Barea is causing havoc in the playoffs. He and his Dallas Mavericks teammates take on the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals (8 p.m., ESPN).

2. Jennifer Floyd Engel: With Barea and Dirk Nowitzki, let the debates begin.

3. Mavs notes: Rick Carlisle said the Mavs need to play better defense to avoid getting into another shootout like Game 1.

4. Texas Rangers 5, Kansas City Royals 4 (11): Neftali Feliz blew his first save, but the Rangers won in the 11th on Adrian Beltre's two-run single. The Rangers finish their two-game series in Kansas City tonight (7:10 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

5. Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia are two of the biggest names in the field for the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, which begins today, and both have had their successes in Texas (2-5 p.m., Golf Channel).

6. Jerry Jones believes the NFL will have a regular season, but he is preparing for all possibilities with the lockout.

-- David Thomas

Wednesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 121, Oklahoma City Thunder 112: Dirk Nowitzki's numbers: 48 points on 12-of-15 shooting and an NBA record-setting 24 of 24 at the free throw line. The Mavs lead 1-0 with Game 2 on Thursday night.

2. Randy Galloway: Nowitzki was just too much for the Thunder.

3. Gil LeBreton: Oklahoma City didn't have an answer for ... J.J. Barea?

4. Chicago White Sox 4, Texas Rangers 3: Rangers pitchers allowed only four hits but were hurt by six walks. The Rangers now are off to Kansas City to face the Royals (7:10 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

5. Rangers notes: Catcher Yorvit Torrealba's highlight of Monday's game wasn't ending his 0-for-24 skid but Colby Lewis' shutout.

6. Eight Champions Tour members are in the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial field this week as the tournament welcomes back an unusually large number of former champions.

-- David Thomas