41.   It is crucial for the Nets to make the playoffs this season and to re-establish a positive direction.

42.   It has left Nets players, who once believed their built-for-now team could advance beyond the first round of the playoffs this season, dumbfounded.

43.   It came in the guise of last quarters in the playoffs this season.

44.   It might have been five if not for the strike that canceled the playoffs last season.

45.   It will be difficult for the Cowboys to regain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs this season.

46.   Just like the playoffs last season.

47.   Messier flatly stated upon his celebrated return to New York from Vancouver last July that the Rangers would make the playoffs this season after three years on the outs.

48.   None of those guys are starting in the playoffs this season.

49.   Neither of these teams made the playoffs last season.

50.   Only Giuseppe Galderisi, Ivan McKinley, and Evans Wise performed in the playoffs last season, with Tampa Bay.