First, the results of last week's predictions:
— Kentucky Derby, race portion. Prediction: 9.5; final rating: 9.0.
— Stanley Cup playoffs, Penguins-Capitals Game 5. Prediction: 1.9; final rating: 2.4.
— NBA playoffs, Warriors-Blazers Game 3. Prediction: 3.8; final rating: 3.6.
— NBA playoffs, Cavaliers-Hawks Game 4. Prediction: 3.7; final rating: N/A.
— NBA playoffs, Spurs-Thunder Game 4. Prediction: 3.4; final rating: 3.1.
— Sunday Night Baseball, Red Sox-Yankees. Prediction: 1.4; final rating: 1.2.
This week's predictions (all times Eastern):
NBA playoffs, Heat/Raptors Game 7 or Raptors/Cavaliers Game 1 (3:30 p.m. Sunday, ABC). Neither the Heat nor LeBron James move the needle like they did when they were together, and the Raptors — making just their third ABC appearance — are not exactly a ratings magnet. Expect a sizable drop from last year’s 4.4 for Clippers-Rockets Game 7. Prediction: 3.6.
PGA Tour Players Championship, third and final rounds (2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, NBC). Entering the most prestigious of the non-major tournaments, golf ratings have been mired in a weeks-long slump. Look for the rough times to continue, especially with Jordan Spieth tied for 83rd after round one. Last year’s weekend coverage posted ratings of 2.0 (Saturday) and 3.3 (Sunday). Predictions: 1.7 and 2.8.
NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Dover (1 p.m. Sunday, Fox Sports 1). Both NASCAR races on FS1 this season have had an increase in ratings, no small feat considering every race on 'big FOX' has stayed flat or declined. If this week's Dover rating improves over last year's 2.5, it would be the highest rating ever for NASCAR on the network (including its days as Speed Channel). Prediction: 2.4.
NHL playoffs, Sharks/Blues Game 1 (8 p.m. Sunday, NBCSN). The absence of the Blackhawks, plus a drop from NBC to NBCSN, should equal a sizable decline for Game 1 of the NHL’s Western Conference final. Last year’s Blackhawks-Ducks opener had a 1.3. Prediction: 0.8.
WNBA regular season, Mercury-Lynx (7:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN). With neither the NBA nor the NHL to contend with, and airing on the ‘mothership’ rather than ESPN2, look for the WNBA to get off to a better start in the ratings. ESPN2 had a 0.2 rating for its opener last year, which took place more than a week into the season. Prediction: 0.3.
IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Indianapolis (3:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC). ABC’s previous IndyCar race this season had a 1.0 rating, tied as the highest for the series (excluding the Indy 500) since 2011. While Saturday’s Grand Prix of Indianapolis is unlikely to match that admittedly-low mark, look for an uptick over last year's 0.7. Prediction: 0.8.
Paulsen is the founder of Sports Media Watch and a contributor for Sporting News. Follow him on Twitter @Paulsen_SMW .