Leading Off: Pictures of the Week

Leading Off: Pictures of the Week

John W. McDonough/SI

Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith springs to the hoop in a March 3 game against the Los Angeles Lakers. But a pair of late-game defensive letdowns by Smith cost the Hawks as Kobe Bryant beat him to the basket twice, including for a game-winning layup in the Lakers' 99-98 victory.

Russell Lansford/Icon SMI

Peetu Piiroinen goes off a jump during the finals of the slopestyle event at the Burton US Open. Piiroinen just missed out on the medal stand with his score of 78.83, less than three points behind third place finisher Chas Guldemond.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Carl Edwards does his trademark backflip from his No. 99 car to celebrate his victory in the NASCAR Spring Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500. The backflip was a long time coming for Edwards, who snapped a 70-race winless streak with the win one week after wrecking five cars at Daytona.

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Coaches Corner take on the Shamrocks at the annual Lake Louise Pond Hockey Classic in Alberta, Canada on March 2. Coaches Corner got the victory in the 4-on-4 game played with no goalies.

D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images

Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe gets to the hoop as Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan of the Spurs reach for a block in a March 3 game in San Antonio. Leonard and Duncan combined for 30 points and were two of the four Spurs players with 14 points or more in San Antonio's 114-75 rout.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

San Francisco Giants infielder Kensuke Tanaka dives from a throw as Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrew Romine steals second in the fifth inning of a Cactus League game on Feb. 27. Starter Ryan Vogelsong gave the Giants three scoreless innings, but the Angels rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to force an 8-8 tie, the third consecutive draw for the Giants.

John W. McDonough/SI

Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin rises above two Oklahoma City Thunder defenders in a March 3 game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Griffin dropped in 20 points, but the Thunder held on after building a 13-point halftime lead to defeat the Clippers 108-104.

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Danica Patrick drives during practice for the NASCAR Spring Cup Series Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Patrick's race didn't go nearly as well as her history-making performance at the Daytona 500 as she wrecked on lap 185 when her right front tire blew, sending her careening into the wall.

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

North Carolina State forward D.J. Leslie rejects Boston College forward Eddie Odio at the rim during a Feb. 27 ACC game. Leslie was one of five players on the Wolfpack to score in double figures as N.C. State prevailed 82-64.

Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images

Toronto Maple Leafs center Mikhail Grabovski crashes Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price's net during a Feb. 27 game in Toronto. Two goals from left winger Max Pacioretty helped the Canadiens avenge a 6-0 home loss to the Maple Leafs on Feb. 9 with a 5-2 triumph.

Tony Ding/AP

Michigan State forward Derrick Nix eyes an offensive board while boxing out Michigan forward Jordan Morgan in the second half of the intrastate rivals' March 3 matchup. The No. 4 Wolverines recovered from a blown second half lead to defeat the No. 9 Spartans 58-57.

Mark J. Terrill/AP

Detroit Red Wings netminder Jimmy Howard spots the puck above his head during the first period of the Red Wings' game against the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 27. A late goal from Anze Kopitar put the Kings ahead for a 2-1 final.

Keith Srakocic/AP

South Florida center Jordan Omogbehin catches Pitt guard James Robinson across the face while swiping at the ball in a Feb. 27 Big East matchup. Robinson took the blow but got the last laugh as the No. 23 Panthers easily dispatched the Bulls 64-44.