This Weekend in Sports — Australian Open Finals, NFL Pro Bowl
With Super Bowl XLVIII still more than a week away, other sports invade the TV schedule. Here are the best events to watch this weekend:
Friday, January 24
L.A. Clippers at Chicago Bulls
United Center, Chicago; 8 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
The Los Angeles Clippers (29-15) head into Chicago to face the Bulls (21-20) in a matchup of teams who are in the middle of the playoff pack in their respective NBA conferences. Forward Blake Griffin leads the Clip Show with a 22.6 points per game average. Carlos Boozer figures to be the go-to scorer for Chicago if he has recovered from the left calf strain that caused him to miss his last game.
Saturday, January 25
2014 Australian Open Women's Final: Li Na vs. Dominika Cibulkova
Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia; 3 a.m. (ET) on ESPN2
Fourth-seeded Li Na plays in the Australian Open final for the third time in four years on Saturday when she faces 20th-seeded Dominika Cibulkova. Na is looking for her second Grand Slam title, while Cibulková is seeking her first.
(22) Kansas State at (16) Iowa State
Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa; 1:45 p.m. (ET) on ESPN3
Coming off a crushing last-second loss to unranked Texas on Tuesday night, 22nd-ranked Kansas State (14-5) must travel to No. 16 Iowa State (14-3) in a Big 12 clash. Guard DeAndre Kane has been a force for the Cyclones, averaging 16.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Marcus Foster leads K-State in scoring with 13.7 points per game.
2014 Senior Bowl: North vs. South
Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.; 4 p.m. (ET) on NFL Network
Some of the nation's best college football players play their final amateur game in Saturday's Senior Bowl. The North team is led by Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd and Oregon wide receiver Josh Huff. Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr and Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews are part of the South squad.
(21) Michigan at (3) Michigan State
Jack Breslin Student Events Center, East Lansing, Mich; 7 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
Twenty-first ranked Michigan (14-4) travels to face third-ranked Michigan State (18-1) in a battle of in-state rivals who are still undefeated in the Big Ten this season. Nik Stauskas is leading the Wolverines with a 18.5 points per game scoring average. Guards Gary Harris and Keith Appling are the key to the Spartans' attack.
Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles; 9:30 p.m. (ET) on NBC Sports Network
Western Conference rivals Anaheim (37-10-5) and Los Angeles (29-16-6) meet outside at Dodger Stadium in the first outdoor NHL game in Southern California. Anaheim's Corey Perry ranks fifth in the NHL with 55 points. Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick is sixth in the league with a 2.09 goals-against average.
UFC on FOX 10: Benson Henderson vs Josh Thomson
United Center, Chicago; 8 p.m. (ET) on Fox
Former UFC lightweight champions Benson Henderson and Josh Thomson battle in an attempt to continue their climb back to the top of the mixed-martial-arts circuit. Other matches on the card include: Stipe Miocic vs. Gabriel Gonzaga; Donald Cerrone vs. Adriano Martins and Darren Elkins vs. Jeremy Stephens.
Sunday, January 26
2014 Australian Open Men's Final: Stan Wawrinka vs Nadal/Federer
Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia; 3 a.m. (ET) on ESPN2
Stan Wawrinka awaits the winner of Friday's semifinal match between top-seeded Rafael Nadal and sixth-seeded Roger Federer. If Nadal can advance, he'll be looking for his first men's singles title in Australia since 2009.
New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.; 12:30 p.m. (ET) on NBC
The New York Rangers (27-22-3) and the New Jersey Devils (21-19-9) face off at Yankee Stadium in another of the NHL's Stadium Series games. Longtime veteran Jaromir Jagr is still putting up points for the Devils. Center Brad Richards paces the Blueshirts' attack.
San Antonio Spurs at Miami Heat
American Airlines Arena, Miami; 1 p.m. (ET) on ABC
The Miami Heat (30-12) host the San Antonio Spurs (32-10) in a rematch of teams that played a thrilling seven-game NBA Finals last spring. Forward LeBron James is having another MVP-level year for Miami. Point guard Tony Parker continues to lead the Spurs' attack.
Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics
TD Garden, Boston; 6:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
The Boston Celtics (15-29) host the Nets (18-22), as Brooklyn's Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett make their first return to the city where they appeared in countless playoff games and won the 2008 NBA title. After stumbling at the start of the season, the Nets have won eight of nine games.
2014 Pro Bowl: Team Rice vs. Team Sanders
Aloha Stadium, Honolulu; 7:30 p.m. (ET) on NBC
Some of the NFL's best players will compete in the 2014 Pro Bowl in Hawaii. The league scrapped the AFC-vs.-NFC format in favor of allowing Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders to select players from a talent pool. Saints quarterback Drew Brees will lead Team Rice, and Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will be under center for Team Sanders.