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Y E S T E R D A Y…

Dodgers 3, Diamondbacks 4: Can a snake operate a broom? Apparently, it’s possible. The D’Backs swept their three-game series with the Dodgers, and won their sixth straight win. While the rest of the league scratches their head wondering when their youth will rear its ugly head, the Baby ‘Backs keep winning and winning and winning in Energizer-bunny-like fashion. If nothing else, the Blue Crew can take comfort in keeping red-hot Mark Reynolds hitless — Reynolds had three bombs in the first two games of the series.

Angels 9, Indians 5: Though like the rest of Southern California, the Halos are typically prone to prolonged power outages, they received a welcome power surge in the form of four round-trippers. Napoli, G.A., Vlad, and Kotchman all went yard, creating a fireworks show at Angel Stadium that would rival any Fourth of July celebration. Napoli’s grand salami gave him his third homer of the young season.

T O D A Y…

Lakers at Clippers (7:30 p.m., TNT): The Lake Show seeks home-court advantage throughout the playoffs in the latest edition of perhaps the weakest crosstown rivalry in sports history. Kobe & Co. will have the luxury of playing in front of a crowd that will be at least 75% purple and gold in a supposed “road” game. Victory is far from a sure thing, however, now that the Clippers have restored their Brand name — Elton has averaged 18/7 since his return four games ago.

Stars at Ducks (7 p.m., Versus): The webbed-footed fowls begin their opening round playoff series with Dallas, who beat them five teams during the season. The defending champs enter the game having won nine of their last 11, while the Stars limped into the postseason, winning only four of their final 14 games.

N E W S W O R T H Y…

• While the Bruin ballers are toeing the NBA waters, Trojan freshman O.J. Mayo dove right in. Mayo declared he will enter the NBA draft and will hire an agent. Anyone surprised?
• The only thing more predictable than O.J.’s announcement was the No. 1 overall selection of Tennessee’s Candace Parker by the WNBA’s L.A. Sparks. The implications of this event are two-fold: first, the league should draw larger crowds, especially when L.A. is in town, with a young, transcendent superstar like Parker in tow. Secondly, this gives the Sparks the only two dunkers in the game (Lisa Leslie being the other). Buckle up, Sparks fans, you’re in for a rim-rattling summer.

C O L U M N S…

• SPORTSHUB COLUMN OF THE DAY: Though the Ducks ended the regular season on a high note, at least on paper, the enthusiasm and spark Anaheim thrived off of in last year’s pursuit of the Cup is noticeably absent this time around, says the Times’ Helene Elliott. Despite having essentially the same cast, the lack of buzz translated into worse results (think Ocean’s 13).
• The OC Register’s Marcia Smith agrees, saying the lack of buzz in the O.C. is palpable and obvious. Let’s face it, Anaheim is far from a “hockey town.” The prospect of having their Ducks become the first West Coast team to win the Cup drew enough interest to draw in the average Southlander last season, but now it’s back to business-as-usual, even with the Ducks standing a legitimate shot of defending their title.

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