This is the week we've had circled on our calendar since the Celtics' blistering start. We knew at least three of the four games would be tough, but now every team between the Mississippi and the Pecos has their eyes on the NBA Finals, and since the Celtics want to be there to meet them, these four games are huge.

It starts tonight in San Antonio against the defending champs, who have a shocking 2-game losing streak to the C's. These two met last month, the Celtics winning without Kevin Garnett and the Spurs losing sans Tony Parker. Tomorrow, it's Houston and their 22-game winning streak, propelling them to #1 in the West. Then Dallas, who hasn't been getting the headlines but is still a very very good team, and finally New Orleans, playing way above expectations all year. The West is so packed that everyone's already playing with playoff intensity, especially when the best team in the league comes to town. This should be fun.

It's not easy to segue from "playoff intensity" to the Bruins, but they do look a lot more alive than they did a few days ago. Back in Washington, the scene of their 10-2 spiritual de-pantsing, the B's grinded out a point in a 2-1 shootout loss. Alex Ovechkin didn't have a hat trick in the first 43 seconds, which helped. Chuck Kobasew scored the Bruins goal, and Alex Auld stopped 32 Capital shots. So the B's get the point, and move up into a sixth place with the Rangers. Remember, at this point the #6 team plays Carolina, while the #7 likely plays Montreal, who's 38-0 against the Bruins this year. If any motivation is required.

Tim Wakefield and Kevin Cash had a meet-and-greet in the Sox' minor league game yesterday; Wake retired all 15 batters he faced. That's pretty good. The Sox play the Yankees today, and head out Wednesday for Tokyo, a trip Hideki Okajima is looking forward to. Josh Beckett still won't be going, but had a very encouraging workout yesterday, and may be ready when the Sox come back to North America.

Bob Ryan tries to find someone to root for in the NCAA Tournament. Better him than us.