1.   And the Dodgers this year will make their second straight playoff appearance.

2.   Bird was worried that his team might be flat after registering seven straight playoff victories over Milwaukee and Philadelphia, followed by a week off.

3.   Buddy Ryan managed three straight playoff appearances in Philadelphia and nothing in Arizona.

4.   But if only they could play every team the way they play the Rangers, maybe they would not be headed for a fourth straight playoff-less season.

5.   But most of the Bills knew that their run of six straight playoff appearances was essentially over.

6.   Cohan was adamant in endorsing Carlesimo when he hired him in June, a month after the Portland Trail Blazers fired him after three straight playoff seasons.

7.   For the third straight playoff game, they trailed on the road.

8.   He has been the most consistent offensive player on a team that appears to be headed toward a second straight playoff appearance.

9.   He had the same problems, the same questions and he made decisions in three straight playoffs.

10.   In fact, the theme and tone in the Indiana locker room afterward was what you would expect from a veteran team that had won seven straight playoff games.