41.   The Celtics backed into the playoff picture Friday night after falling to the undermanned Knicks as Milwaukee took an even uglier nosedive against Cleveland.

42.   The Broncos had been left for dead after their horrendous beginning, but are solidly in the playoff picture.

43.   The calculations are endless this time of the year, and the complicated AFC playoff picture likely will not be clear until the final week of the season.

44.   The Coyotes are on the cusp of the playoff picture.

45.   The Cleveland Cavaliers shed a bit more light on the Eastern Conference playoff picture on Thursday night.

46.   The game had a significant effect on the playoff picture in the AFC, too.

47.   The loss knocks Seattle out of the playoff picture, and probably costs Dennis Erickson his job.

48.   The Mets open with Atlanta Tuesday and could be out of the playoff picture by Thursday night.

49.   The Patriots likewise needed a victory to solidify their position in the playoff picture.

50.   The most competitive Eastern playoff picture in years?