Road Teams Rule NBA Play-In. DEN, PHX & BOS: Top Storylines As Playoffs Begin Saturday. Islanders Secure Playoff Spot. Rays Roll To 12 Straight! When Will Streak End? Colts Should Keep #4 Pick
I'm geared up for some playoff action as this podcast will have plenty of that, as well as, what else is happening throughout the sports landscape as the latest episode is forthcoming. On deck:
(3:28) It's going to be warm in the Northeast over the next few days as we get a taste of summer here in April. The beauty of this month is getting ready for the two month journey of the playoffs in both the NHL & NBA. The play-in tournament in the Association has gotten off to a tremendous start with three of the four teams winning on the road. And the Lakers barely winning on their end as the only home team victorious over the first two nights. I'll discuss the four play-in tournament games. The disappointing losses in Toronto and New Orleans, including Zion Williamson being physically fine to play, but not psychologically ready to suit up. Will the Miami Heat get out of the tournament and make the playoffs? Can Oklahoma City's young guns win in Minnesota to go up against the Denver Nuggets? I'll have a complete first round preview and get into the storylines that will captivate the hoops fan as we tip off the postseason on Saturday.
(36:57) The Islanders avoided an embarrassing end to their regular season losing in Washington Monday night, which dropped them out of control of their playoff destiny. But thanks to the Blackhawks win in Pittsburgh Tuesday night, coupled with the Isles win over Montreal last night in their final game, they were able to secure a spot in the playoffs. Who will the Islanders face come Monday when the postseason commences? I'll also get into the division races in the Metropolitan, Central and Pacific as teams look for home ice advantage and march on to the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the pursuit to capture the greatest trophy in sports begins next week.
(47:14) The Rays stay torrid and undefeated as they're currently 12-0, with a chance to go 13-0 today in a getaway day game vs. Boston. If so, they would match the best start in MLB history with the 1982 Atlanta Braves & 1987 Milwaukee Brewers. Can they do it? And when will this streak end? Mets closer Edwin Diaz has visions of getting back to pitch before the end of this season. What do I think about that proclamation? An update on Pirates SS Oneil Cruz ankle as he fractured it in a collision over the weekend. When can we expect him to return?
(54:57) NFL fans, the Draft is two weeks away. I have a few news and notes throughout the league where the Colts may stay put with the #4 overall pick in the draft, instead of trading for QB Lamar Jackson. Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill will retire after his contract is up in 2025. Could it be sooner than that? Lions trade former #3 overall pick Jeff Okudah to Atlanta. And Buccaneers LB, Devin White has requested a trade as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Will the Bucs pull the trigger on a deal as the draft nears?
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.