1.   Any playoff aspirations could largely depend on how well they do on their home court, thus making a good showing in this home stand critical.

2.   But the reason Webber stands to return to all-star form, and Sacramento has playoff aspirations, is the signing of free-agent center Vlade Divac.

3.   The Bears have their own playoff aspirations.

4.   The Cardinals still have playoff aspirations, and a victory over the Jets would put them in decent shape heading into the last half of the season.

5.   The loser of this matchup will see its playoff aspirations evaporate.

6.   They had playoff aspirations, and they deemed Blaylock the point guard to lead them.

7.   While the Rangers battle to keep their playoff aspirations off the critical list, Juan Gonzalez is waging a private war.

8.   With the exception of the disreputaBulls, you have seven teams with quite legitimate playoff aspirations.

9.   After trading for starter Andy Ashby and signing closer Mike Jackson in the offseason, the Phillies entered the year with playoff aspirations.