31.   The Celtics had talked of putting a dent in the playoff chances of other teams.

32.   The Kansas City Chiefs should view their playoff chances with cautious optimism.

33.   The Kings have been saying the past month they would be willing to rent a top offensive player for the final month to enhance their playoff chances.

34.   The Mighty Ducks merely continue to play like a desperate team even though their playoff chances look better each day.

35.   The Mighty Ducks were merely a team that wants to continued to play like a desperate team even though their playoff chances look better and better each day.

36.   The Kings played desperately, knowing their playoff chances grow slimmer with every loss.

37.   The outcome of the Chiefs game will probably have little impact on the Cowboys playoff chances.

38.   Their playoff chances officially evaporated Sunday.

39.   Their plane landed late in the afternoon but their playoff chances remained up in the air.

40.   They acquired Hamilton in the off-season from the San Diego Padres, hoping to add a veteran starter who could enhance at least their wild-card playoff chances.