The Suns have been on a roll, but their latest task of taking on the champion Lakers, may rest on the play of Pau Gasol.

The Phoenix Suns have not lost two games in a row since late January, but this week they face a challenge unlike any they’ve seen in 2010: a seven-game series against the defending champion Los Angles Lakers. The NBA's Western Conference finals begins tonight in L.A. – SI.com’s Britt Robson has the scouting report here - and promises to be a high-octane and exciting series. It's the highlight (all times Eastern) of the night in sports.

–Red Sox at Yankees (7:05 ESPN)
Baseball’s most storied rivalry comes to Yankee Stadium for a two-game series. Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-1, 6.35) opposes New York’s Phil Hughes (5-0, 1.38)

-Suns at Lakers (9 p.m., TNT)
The Suns are the last Western Conference team to eliminate the Lakers from the playoffs. They defeated Los Angeles in both 2006 and 2007, but that was before the Lakers added Pau Gasol. Los Angeles is 7-2 against Phoenix since Gasol arrived in February 2008.  The Suns are the league’s hottest team, winning 36 of 45 games since Jan. 28.

BY THE NUMBERS

51
Number of consecutive converted save opportunities at home for Yankee closer Mariano Rivera before yesterday 6-3 Minnesota win.

34
Goals scored by Barcelona forward Lionel Messi in La Liga this season including two against Real Valladolid on Sunday. Barca’s 4-0 victory over Valladolid gave the club their second consecutive league title.

14-7
Career record of Rafael Nadal all-time against Roger Federer. Yesterday Nadal defeated Federer 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the Madrid final.