TRENDY TUESDAY SPORTS UPDATE:3/30/21: GIDDY UP FOR THAT PLAYOFF PUSH!

In the NBA, and NHL, the shortened seasons due to the pandemic are coming to a close respectively, and our NY teams are buckling down, trying to position themselves in the best way they possibly can.

KNICKS:24-23

The second tilt against the Wizards, was tougher than the first one, but the Knicks rallied from a 17 point third quarter deficit to defeat Washington 106-102 at MSG. With Julius Randle leaving the game due to injury, the Knicks were backed by a superb performance from RJ Barret (24 points,10 rebounds, 5 assists), and Immaunel Quickly(16-6-3), who came up clutch off the bench, with his late go-ahead trey, giving the Knicks a lead they would never relinquish. On Sunday, the New York suffered another injury, as Mitchell Robinson suffered an ankle injury, just a few games after coming back from a broken hand. Yet, the Knicks still eked out a 102-96 road win over the Bucks, albeit without Giannis Antentakumpo, and Khris Middelton. However, Monday night saw the Miami Heat enter MSG, and snap their six game skid, with a 98-88 win, that was decided in the trenches down in the paint. Randle returned for the Knicks, but it wasn’t enough, in a loss that could hurt them in this tightly-bunched Eastern Conference playoff race.

RACE AS OF 3/30/31

1. HORNETS 24-22

2. KNICKS 24-23

3. HAWKS 23-23

4. CELTICS 23-24

5. HEAT 23-24

6. PACERS 21-24

7. BULLS 19-26

NETS: 32-15

Some more signs that this team is likely “championship-bound”:

1. They signed Lamarcus Aldrige

2. They blew a double-digit lead against the lowly Pistons, yet woke up late for a 113-111 win, with James Harden coming to the rescue with a 44-14-8 performance.

3. They blew a double-digit lead, yet won 112-107 against the lowly Timberwolves , behind a 38-11-13 night from James Harden, and a 27-7-3 performance from Kyrie Irving, after his three game absence due to family reasons.

This team is going through a rough patch, yet is still winning ballgames, when other teams may have crumbled. That’s simply unbelievable .

RANGERS: 16-15-4

The good times ended with a 2-1 loss in Philly on Saturday, which is saying something because Thursday night was incredible. Mika Zibanejad, had a five point second period(3 goals 2 assets) , part of his second six point night in a week, once again against the Flyers, in a resounding 8-3 Rangers victory, that saw Igor Shesterkin make 41 saves, in his return from injury, after his 10 game absence.

and then worsened in Washington, when the Rangers fell 5-4 to the Capitals, in coach David Quinn’s return to the bench. But revenge came on Tuesday, when Igor Shesterkin recorded at least 30 saves for the fourth straight game, and the offense lit it up in the third period, scoring four of their five unanswered goals, in a 5-2 thumping of the Caps to take a 4-2 season series advantage with two games left to play.

ISLANDERS:22-10-4

Once again, the Islanders needed to wave goodbye to first place in the East, and now must look at the Pittsburg Penquins(23-11-2), who pulled even with them in the standings for the second spot, after sweeping the Islanders over the weekend 6-3, and 2-1 at PPG arena, and polish off a 6-2 season-series win over their division rivals. These somber tilts, came after a feel-good win in Boston, for the Islanders who rallied from a 2-0 deficit for a 4-3 OT victory with Anthony Beavullier recording the winner.