Leading Off

High Pressure

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza (3) drew a foul from Rockets guard Aaron Brooks during Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal on May 12 in Los Angeles. Ariza had 13 points in a 118--78 victory; L.A. closed out the series on Sunday with an 89-70 romp in Game 7.

Flying Colors

With the acrobatic air patrol Frecce Tricolori painting the sky, cyclists pedaled from Grado to Valdobbiadene in the third stage of the Giro d'Italia on May 11. Six days later the riders, citing a 180-foot fall by Spain's Pedro Horrillo (who was in a coma for 24 hours), deemed the course unsafe and raced the ninth stage at half speed.

Water View

Sean Shughrou of the Elite Water Polo Club of Murrieta, Calif., made ball possession his priority during an 18-and-under match against the Del Mar Water Polo Club on Sunday in Del Mar. Shughrou's team lost 9--6.

United Front

A Manchester United wall of (from left) Cristiano Ronaldo, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick reacted to a free kick by Arsenal's Robin van Persie last Saturday in Manchester. With the 0--0 draw, Man U won its 18th English Premier League title, tying Liverpool's record. On May 27, the Red Devils will face Barcelona in the Champions League final (page 28).