11.   In recent years, the Devils have made early playoff exits after good regular seasons.

12.   Instead, the Rockets get an early start on rebuilding, perhaps the only asset that comes out of an early playoff exit.

13.   It also might mean the Sonics will make the hat trick in first-round playoff exits.

14.   Look for a swift playoff exit.

15.   Pat Riley said many things last week following yet another painful playoff exit.

16.   Right now, the Knicks look headed for a second-round playoff exit.

17.   Since moving to the Valley from Winnipeg, the team was shown early playoff exits by Detroit last season and by Anaheim the year before.

18.   Since the Sox are less than a week removed from their playoff exit at the hands of the Indians, there were some inevitable baseball comments and questions.

19.   Still, the Suns made their third straight first-round playoff exit.

20.   Stars players remain unable and unwilling to talk of a playoff series gone wrong, a playoff exit that came too early.