Friday's Big Sports Weekend Preview

The countdown is getting more real now, the numbers are getting smaller, each ticking second is taking us closer to the dog days where we've got nothing but baseball to sustain our sports appetites.

Sure, for some fans that's like being forced to eat steak every day, but there's nothing wrong with a little sports variety in our lives—especially when there are big-time playoff series to savor. Buffets are always better. 

With a mix of conference finals, a battle for the Stanley Cup and some motorsports and soccer, there's definitely enough to keep you inside—especially if you're still sun-burnt from Memorial Day weekend. 

NBA: Eastern Conference Finals

When: Friday (Game 3), 8:30 p.m. (ET); Sunday (Game 4), 8:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Why You Should Watch: Because this series has all the elements that make sports fun. Superlatively talented superstars? Check (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, etc.). Extremely polarizing players? Check (LeBron). Two big-name teams? Yup.

We could go on and on and on here. The point is, when you get an in-his-prime LeBron James in the playoffs, you make sure to take some time and watch. Even if you can't stand the dude, he's exciting. And exciting means entertaining. And entertaining is why we watch sports in the first place. 

NBA: Western Conference Finals

When: Saturday (Game 4), 8:30 p.m. (ET)

TV: TNT

Why You Should Watch: If you're a casual NBA fan who doesn't harbor an irrational, because-they're-boring hatred of the Spurs, the outcome here is win-win. You either get a young, exciting, full-of-future-stars team like the Thunder, or a dynasty adding the icing on the cake like the Spurs. 

The way it's looking, there's a strong chance it's the latter. But regardless, you've got your Saturday night covered. 

MLB: Baltimore vs. Tampa Bay

When: All Weekend

TV: MLB.TV, in-market networks

Why You Should Watch: In the biggest, baddest, most spend-happy division in baseball, the lovable clubs with the generic-clothes budgets are leading the way. It's hard to not like that, as a casual fan, when you can check the AL East standings and see the Orioles and Rays at the top. 

It's even better, then, when they're playing each other. If there was ever a weekend for your MLB.TV app, this is it. Heck, throw it on your iPhone and watch outside.

NASCAR Sprint Cup: FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks

When: Sunday, 12:30 (ET)

TV: FOX

Why You Should Watch: A track doesn't earn a nickname like "The Monster Mile" without providing some type of excitement every once in a while.

The big boys of NASCAR cruise into Dover this weekend for a much more digestible, easy-to-watch race than the oh-so-long Coca-Cola 600 from last week. 

NHL: Stanley Cup Final

When: Saturday (Game 2), 8 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBC

Why You Should Watch: Even if you're like me and didn't watch the Kings or Devils play once during the regular season, the upped intensity of the Stanley Cup Final takes the already uber-intense NHL playoffs and packages it in a way that makes it appealing.

So, if the Spurs start running away with things on Saturday, it could be worth the switch.