Looking back, how could anyone bet against them, let alone spot them points? The Spurs dominated the Hornets from the tip, jumping out to a nine-point halftime lead and holding on for a comfortable 91-82 road victory.

And that's why they're the champs.

The Spurs move on to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference finals, which start Wednesday at Staples Center. (The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics square off in the East on Tuesday.)

While the Hornets might have choked on their inexperience, don't expect the same from Kobe Bryant, who led the Lakers to three consecutive titles from 2000-02.

Another thing going for the guys in gold is the fact that the Spurs will only have a day to rest up before playing again. Remember that San Antonio is not a young team anymore. Tim Duncan is 32, Michael Finley and Kurt Thomas are 35, Bruce Bowen and Brent Barry are 36 and Robert Horry is 37. That's, like, really old, and it's part of the reason why the younger Lakers are getting 13/10 odds to win the NBA title while the Spurs are at 4/1.

Lidstrom Does Things His Own Way

The Detroit Red Wings will battle the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup finals starting Saturday in Motown.

While much of the focus will be on the two sides' high-powered offenses – highlighted by Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk for Detroit and Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for Pittsburgh – one player that might have the most to prove is veteran Red Wing Nicklas Lidstrom.

Lidstrom, a Swede, has won three Stanley Cups in his career but never as team captain. The legendary Steve Yzerman held that prominent role when the Wings won it all in 1997, 1998 and 2002. In fact, no NHL team has ever won a Stanley Cup with a European captain.

To his credit, Lidstrom hasn't forced himself to adopt the gritty style of the stereotypical North American warrior in order to become one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history. He doesn't fight like Jarome Iginla, doesn't hit like Scott Stevens and doesn’t command a locker room like Mark Messier. But that doesn't mean he's not a leader.

"He's not really vocal. When he speaks, you take everything to heart," the ageless Chris Chelios said of Lidstrom to The Dallas Morning News. "He's always calm, a lot like Bob Gainey was, his demeanor. Nick never has to say it. He never gets rattled or yells. What you see is what you get."

Detroit's blue line might be the deciding factor in a series where both teams boast plenty of firepower along with serviceable goaltending. After all, Lidstrom isn’t the only one in red and white with a collection of Stanley Cup rings. Brian Rafalski won two with the New Jersey Devils; Chelios also has a pair, with Montreal as a youngster and the Wings as a veteran.

Compare the back-end experience of the Pens and you see part of the reason why Detroit is the betting favorite to win its 11th Stanley Cup in franchise history. Offensive-minded Sergei Gonchar is the old hand of the Pittsburgh D-men and commands most of the tough minutes. However, while improved defensively from years past, he's still far from a Lidstrom, especially in his own zone.

Beckett Needs to Bounce Back

Jon Lester is the big pitching story in Boston after throwing the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history on Monday night at Fenway. Good for him, but after the celebrating dies down, Beantowners will have to start worrying once more about the ace of the staff.

Josh Beckett surrendered four home runs and six earned runs on Sunday to the Milwaukee Brewers, only to be bailed out by his teammates' bats. The Sox put up 11 runs in an 11-7 decision to get the powerful righty his fifth win of the season. For Beckett, it was his second consecutive rough outing after giving up five runs in five and two-thirds innings against the Baltimore Orioles on May 13.

Beckett's next start is scheduled for Saturday in Oakland against an Athletics team that's cooled off some after winning 13 of 19 from late April through early May.

One positive for Sox fans is the fact that Beckett is still throwing strikes. Over his last five starts, he's walked just five hitters while striking out 40. Not surprisingly, his 1.09 WHIP is among baseball's leaders, though a 4.67 ERA has tarnished his impressive control.

Of note for bettors, the over has hit in five of Beckett's eight starts.

Third Time the Charm for Perry?

Veteran golfer Kenny Perry might finally get that cigar after coming close in recent attempts as he tees it up on Thursday at the PGA Tour's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas.

Last week at the AT&T Classic, Perry lost in a playoff to Ryuji Imada. The week before at the Players, he shot a disastrous final-round 81 to drop from second after the third round to finish in a tie for 15th.

Perry is receiving 18/1 odds to win this week, meaning only Phil Mickelson (8/1) and Jim Furyk (12/1) are heavier favorites. And it's not just Perry's recent play that has oddsmakers liking his chances. The 47-year-old has won twice at Colonial Country Club, in 2003 and 2005, the latter representing his last PGA Tour victory.

Rory Sabbatini is the defending champion and getting 33/1 odds to win.

Now that you know what’s coming up, step to the plate and place your bets.

*****

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