Ibrahim Abdul-Matin

Last night the Miami Heat beat the Bulls and will go on to face the Dallas Mavericks. Ibrahim Abdul-Matin says it's going to be a tough series. "I'm rooting for Dallas, but I think the Heat is going to win it." But that's not all that's happening in sports — ice hockey is heating up as well, tonight's hockey game between Tampa Bay and the Boston Bruins is one to watch. Ibrahim Abdul-Matin says the French Open is also worth turning on your television for.

Cyclist Tyler Hamilton has said that his former teammate, Lance Armstrong, took performance enhancing drugs in 1999. Armstrong won the Tour de France that year. Sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin who explains the drama, saying that Armstrong has been adamant that he has not used drugs. This comes at a time when the cycling world is looking for a "new face," someone who can be trusted.

The Chicago Bulls will face the Miami Heat in the eastern conference finals and both teams have something to prove, says Takeaway sports contributor, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin. Tiger Woods withdrew from the Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida tournament after suffering a knee injury. It's becoming apparent that Woods is getting older.

The NFL draft began last night in New York amid a busy few days for the league in court. On Wednesday, Judge Susan Nelson in Minnesota denied the league's appeal of an injunction against them, ending the lockout. Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin speaks with us about draft, and the strange current NFL landscape.

Negotiators for the MLB players and the owners have come close to agreeing on a new playoff format, to potentially start in 2012. Two additional teams would join the eight teams that are already in the playoffs. The NBA also has long playoffs, advancing 16 teams to the playoffs, over 50 percent of the league. Does this hurt the NBA in terms of viewership and fans? Takeaway sports contributor, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin discusses the lengthy NBA playoffs.

Takeaway sports contributor, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin explains why the playoffs are so fair. Often, he says, the top-seeded teams don't make it to the finals so small town teams can actually win the trophy. It depends on the goalie, he says. Another reason to watch? The sport is incredibly intense and violent. The Boston-Montreal rivalry is the game that no one wants to miss.

The Masters Golf tournament got underway yesterday at Augusta National Golf Club, and 21-year-old Irishman Roy McIlroy is leading the pack. What he seems to lack in terms of experience, he apparently makes up in confidence. Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin has more on the early favorites. And he says that Tiger Woods "is doing fine and is supremely confident" even as young golfers no longer fear him.

Thursday was Opening Day for the 2011 MLB season. Outside in the cold weather, it was hard to imagine that spring was really in the air, but fans were rejoicing none-the-less. Baseball is a "very long soap opera" says Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin. The season is long (162 games) and slow, but attracts a dedicated following.

Virginia Commonwealth University, ranked number 11, turned the college basketball world upside down yesterday, with an upset win over the number one Kansas Jayhawks, earning a trip to the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. VCU now faces Butler, while Kentucky goes against Connecticut. Takeaway sports contributor, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, believes VCU's huge upset and deep journey into the tournament will give the team a huge boost, with top prospects actually considering going to the school.

The sweet sixteen round of the NCAA tournament got underway last night, and we’re down to two games in each region of the tournament bracket. Takeaway Sports Contributor Ibrahim Adbul-Matin was in Badger territory. Butler beat Wisconsin and the Arizona Wildcats blew Duke out of the water. "Now we know there will be a new champion this year and that's really exciting," says Ibrahim Abudl-Matin as he looks ahead to the Elite 8.

Negotiations between NFL owners and its player's union were granted a 24-hour extension yesterday, avoiding the first work stoppage since 1987. When asked if he would arbitrate in any way, President Obama scoffed, saying "My working assumption at a time when people are having to cut back, compromise and worry about making the mortgage and paying for their kids’ college education is the two parties should be able to work it out without the president of the United States intervening." But amidst the battle between millionaires and billionaires, it's easy to forget that football plays a big role in the American economy.

"New York basketball is back," said Carmelo Anthony after being traded to the Knicks. The team now has two superstars, and the level of excitement is amazing, says Takeaway sports contributor, Ibrahim Abdul Matin. But will this lead to a winning season?

It's true that February is generally considered the Dark Ages of the sports year, but there's actually a lot of activity going on this week. First up, news yesterday that St. Louis Cardinals slugger, and resident king of baseball, Albert Pujols arrived in camp without a contract extension, and thus, will not negotiate again until after the season. 

It's considered the best weekend of football, the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan, has been vocal all week in the runup to Sunday's big game. Many criticized him for talking too much, but his team lived up to all the talk, upsetting the Patriots 28-21. 

The title of national champions lay on the line at the BCS Championship last night. The Auburn Tigers completed their undefeated season with a 22-19 victory over the Oregon Ducks with a dramatic field goal by Wes Byrum. The Takeaway's sports contributor, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, recaps the exciting game. 

Yesterday morning John Hockenberry asked me whether there were any story lines worth paying attention to for last night's Vikings and Eagles game in Philadelphia. There were plenty, but I chose to focus on one: The emergence of Joe Webb, the Viking rookie quarterback starting for the first time.

NFL playoffs begin next week, kicking off the countdown to the Super Bowl. That also means the competition to be named the league's MVP has heated up. One of the top two contenders is Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick. Some think of him as the comeback story of the year, having returned to football after serving time for his dogfighting conviction. Tom Brady, the other top contender, seems to be leading his Patriots inexorably for the Super Bowl. So who deserves the title?

It was bound to happen. At some point in the last 10 years the New York Knicks were going to have to be relevant. The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, are the standard bearers in the Eastern Conference, are on a 10-0 streak, have the second best record in the NBA and they are stacked at all positions. Tonight the streaking Knicks will face their greatest challenge of the season. What will they need to do to win?

There's a lot of story lines happening in basketball this season. Which should we be paying attention to? The Miami Heat finally getting into its stride this season? A leader for The New York Knicks? Takeaway Sports Contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin talks about the biggest stories so far in the NBA.

Tonight, Cleveland's prodigal son Lebron James returns to play in his former home town...but he'll be playing as a member of the Miami Heat against former team mates on the Cavaliers. We talk with Takeaway contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin about how fans react when former heroes return in another team's colors.