THRILLING THURSDAY SPORTS UPDATE 3/25/21

Outside of the March Madness world, we have some big games on the sports slate this weekend. But first, we need to get you ready for the action, with a “blast from the past”, from these last couple days.

KNICKS 22-22:

Julius Randle is an absolute “Wizard” at the game of basketball, with 37 points, and RJ Barret piled on 21, as the Knicks steamrolled past the lowly 15-27 Washington Wizards 131-113 to pass their win total from last season (21), and tie their win projection for this season with victory #22. This was a game, where everyone associated with the team, could rest easy; after four high shred games, against the Nets, Magic, and 76ers. new York currently sits among the top six in the East, and would avoid a play-in game if they remain there. The Knicks see the Wizards again on Thursday, the Bucks on Saturday, and the Miami Heat on Monday.

East playoff hunt (3/25)

1. Hornets 22-21

2. Heat 22-22

3. Knicks 22-22

PLAY IN TEAMS:

1. Hawks 22-22

2. Celtics 21-22

3. Pacers 20-23

4. Bulls 19-24

Outside looking in:

1. Raptors 18-26

2. Cavaliers 17-27

3. Wizards 15-27

NETS 30-15:

James Harden is playing at an MVP level. The beard went for 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 17 assists, while also receiving 20 points from Jeff Green, as the Nets began their West coast trip, with a tightly contested 116-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. But unfortunately for Brooklyn, the good vibes would last less than a day, as Kyrie Irving Kevin Durant, and James Harden, were all out due to injury on Tuesday, and the 32-11 Utah Jazz took care of business in a 118-88, pounding of.the Nets. However, despite the defeat, Brooklyn saw production out of Alize Johnson, who in his Nets debut scored 23 points, and played efficiently. The loss though, drops the Nets temporarily to third in the Eastern Conference, behind the 76ers(30-14), and the Bucks (29-14).

RANGERS: 14-13-4

Still with their substitute coaching staff, the Rangers handled the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night 5-3 at MSG, and dealt them, their 14th straight loss. After a scoreless first period, the second saw the floodgates open up, with Buffalo scoring first, on a goal from Rasmus Asplund. But the Rangers would respond, as goals from Kappo Kako, Chris Kreider and Adam Fox, gave NY a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. But the Sabres would rally, as early goals by Dylan Cozens, and Jeff Skinner tied the score at three goals apiece. However, the Rangers would respond as with 14:13 remaining, Chris Kreider deflected one home, before a Kakko empty netter, sealed a 5-3 Rangers victory. The win is the Blueshirts 3rd in their last four games, with the schedule only getting tougher, when they face off against the Flyers on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center, in game five of their eight game season series. Currently, the series is even at two games apiece, with New York taking the most recent meeting last Wednesday; a 9-0 beatdown at Madison Square Garden.

ISLANDERS 21-8-4

Ilyu Sorokin made 36 saves, and Anthony Beauviller scored the OT winner, as the Islanders defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 on Monday night at Wells Fargo Center, in Philly. The win makes the Eastenr Division standings as follows:

1. New York Islanders 21-8-4(21-12 overall) 46 points

2. Washington Capitals 20-7-4(20-11) 44 points

3. Pittsburg Penguins 20-11-2(20-13 overall) 42 points

4. Boston Bruins 16-8-4(16-12 overall) 36 points

5. Philadelphia Flyers 15-12-4(15-16 overall) 34 points

6. New York Rangers 14-13-4(14-17 overall) 32 points

7. New Jersey Devils 12-14-4(12-18 overall) 28 points

8. Buffalo Sabres 6-21-4(6-25 overall) 16 points, and now on a 15 game losing streak, after Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Penguins.