5/17: Lockout is On, Mazzaro Implosion, etc.

Greetings... kind of a slow day with no NBA from Monday, so here we are...

• The NFL Lockout is on... you're saying, "what? wasn't it already?"... well sort of... but the 8th circuit court ruled yesterday that the Owners were granted a permanent stay of the injunction that stopped the lockout, and that the business of the NFL couldn't resume until the "full appeal" was made next month... nothing to really see here, other than the realization that nothing is happening...
• Vin Mazzaro allowed 14 earned runs last night... by himself... in RELIEF!... 2 and 1/3 innings and 14 earned runs is one of the crazier things I've seen... he allowed as many runs last night as James Shields, Trevor Cahill, and Zach Britton have allowed ALL YEAR... I don't even know what to say...
• The Braves get a win with a makeshift lineup... 2 hits for Joe Mather (wow), 3 hits for Eric Hinske, and some dominant pitching from Tommy Hanson (7 IP, 2 R, 1 ER) get the win over the hapless Astros... I'm looking forward to seeing Heyward in the lineup, with Chipper hopefully not far behind
• A random college hoops story... Bryce Drew is taking over as the head coach at Valparaiso... why is that noteworthy? Well, it really isn't unless you remember (as I do) seeing Bryce hit the famous game-winner over Ole Miss in the NCAA Tourney while coached by his dad Homer... cyclical...

What to watch for on Tuesday...

• Western Conf. Finals Game 1 - Thunder @ Mavs - 9:00 ESPN - Kicking off the West matchup tonight... I really think OKC has a legit chance to win this series... the matchups are bad for Dallas... Jason Kidd's nightmare is a lightning quick guard (insert Westbrook), and I'm not sure how Dallas can play Terry and Kidd together against Westbrook and Harden... but honestly? I think the series comes down to who plays better between Durant and Dirk.. simple I know, but both have matchups they should be able to exploit... I trust Dirk more as a crunch-time guy in 2011 so I'll take them in 7....
• NBA Draft Lottery - 8:30 ESPN - In the midst of the festivities tonight, the draft lottery is going down... always a riveting event, but this year has a different feel with no real #1 pick in sight... always helpful to see the order for future breakdowns though
• Astros @ Braves - 1:00 SportSouth - Rodriguez vs. Lowe - Good pitching matchup for the businessman's special today...

Enjoy...