31.   Their potential playoff opponents, on the other hand, should take notice of what the Yankees did in Boston over the weekend.

32.   The victory gave the Lakers a season sweep of the Suns, a potential second-round playoff opponent.

33.   Troy Brown watched the Jets-Raiders game Saturday night knowing either of the teams could have been a New England playoff opponent at some point.

34.   Unless the Knicks wear blinders, they know they have their second-round playoff opponent on the ropes.

35.   Until Friday, it was premature to speculate on the playoff opponent.

36.   When the Cowboys faced a difficult playoff opponent, they could rely on home-field advantage.

37.   Hertha Berlin midfielder Sebastian Deisler also cautioned about the playoff opponent.

38.   The Baltimore Ravens face a much tougher challenge than anything their four vanquished playoff opponents presented.

39.   The Los Angeles Lakers, a potential first-round playoff opponent for the SuperSonics, had beaten them in four games this season.

40.   The Pistons then waited to see who their first-round playoff opponent would be.