Lakers/Sixers Darkhorses? Celtics Scars. OKC Title Threat Headline NBA 1st Round. NHL’s Quirky Schedule. Rangers, Leafs, Oilers & Wide Open Cup Race As Playoffs Loom. Deaths In MLB

Playoff mode is activated as I’ll uncover what the NBA & NHL has in store for the next few days. Plus, anything else that’s happening in sports as the latest podcast has arrived. On deck:

(4:00) We’re two play-in games from the NBA playoffs tipping off on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers and Sixers have punched their tickets as #7 seeds in their respective conferences. As unconventional lower seeds that they are, could they be darkhorses to make deep runs in the postseason? I’ll preview tomorrow night’s do-or-die #8 seed games between Bulls-Heat and Kings-Pelicans. I’ll unpack the top storylines of this year’s playoffs (ex. Celtics scars/trustworthy, OKC title worthy?, Bucks expectations/fortitude and more) and preview the opening round of all the matchups as the quest for the Lawrence O’Brien Trophy commences this weekend.

(41:15) Due to a strange quirk in the schedule, the NHL has a half dozen games out West today, but the East has completed all 82 of their games. I’ll share my disdain for that, discuss the storylines of what may lie ahead (Rangers Cup threat, Leafs pressure, Oilers time to shine, a wide open field for a champion) as well as preview the East matchups since the West hasn’t been settled as of yet. Hence, quirky schedule.

(59:41) Sadly, there were a few deaths in baseball over the past few days. Hall of Fame manager of the Royals & Cardinals of the 70’s & 80’s, Whitey Herzog passed away at 92. The last living Brooklyn Dodger, Carl Erskine, died at 97. And former Oakland A’s champion pitcher, Ken Holtzman died at 78. The longtime radio voice of the New York Yankees, John Sterling abruptly retired this week. I’ll have a good thought about him and his career. I’ll even get into how the Mets have won 10 of 13 after an 0-5 start. They’ll have a litmus test this weekend as they go to LA to play the Dodgers for three games. I’ll also take a look at the schedule to see if there are any interesting series on the docket.

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Scheffler Strolls To 2nd Masters Win, But Other Majors? Lakers, Warriors, Heat & 76ers Top NBA Play-In Headlines. Who’ll Win NHL East Wild Card Spot? UFC’s Holloway Dramatic KO! Oh, And O.J.!

Smack dab in the middle of April as it’s Tax Day, but you won’t have to worry about yours truly adding any of that, surcharges, etc. as I’ve got plenty of sports chatter to get into as the latest podcast is here. On deck:

(4:03) Another mea culpa from yours truly as I was unable to produce a podcast for you on Thursday due to unforeseen circumstances. I do sincerely apologize, and as of right now, all looks fine for a pod come this Thursday.

(5:13) There wasn’t a lot of drama over the latter part of the Masters in Augusta yesterday where Scottie Scheffler won his second green jacket in three years. The #1 player in the world has gotten off to a tremendous start this year, but can he carry this into the final three major tournaments over the next few months? I’ll get into the performances of other golfers at the top of the leaderboard (Collin Morikawa, Ludwig Aberg, Bryson Dechambeau, in particular) Also, what happened to Tiger Woods as he had one of the worst ever majors in his illustrious career. How about Rory McIlroy as he’s looking for his first major win in ten years?

(21:57) It was a wild final week in the Association as OKC got the #1 seed in the West after Denver lost a brutal penultimate game vs. San Antonio. The Knicks crept up to get the #2 seed in the East, where the Bucks fall to three. Will Milwaukee get their act together, with or without Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup? The Sixers have been red hot heading into the play-in tournament where they’ll host the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. I’ll detail the top headlines heading into the next few days (ex. West play-in better than East. Can Sixers go on a run? What bout Miami who did it last year in this spot?) Will the Lakers win to set up a rematch of last year’s Western Finals vs. Denver? Can Golden State make it in as an eighth seed?

(40:38) We’re just days away from the NHL season concluding. The only intrigue is who’ll end up with the most points in the NHL when it’s all said and done (Carolina or NY Rangers)? What about the bitter fight for the last wild card spot in the East? Four teams are separated by one point! Which of them will qualify? (Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington or Pittsburgh) Is it possible for the Arizona Coyotes to relocate to Salt Lake City starting next year? That’s been the hot topic as of late where the ‘Yotes could trek to Utah before the 2024-25 season.

(52:58) Today (April 15th) is Jackie Robinson Day, which was his first day in the Major Leagues 77 years ago today. I’ll chime in on that and bring you up to date on what’s happening as we’re two and a half weeks in the marathon of the MLB.

(59:02) The main bout in UFC 300 couldn’t have ended any more dramatic with Max Holloway knocking out Justin Gaethje with seconds left in the final round. Is it the best ending in the history of the sport?

(1:04:16) I’ll spend a few minutes on the death of O.J. Simpson. Do I even need to get into what he and his name means, not only in the sports world, but pop culture, news and controversy surrounding the former NFL great?