Raptors, Knicks have shot at playoffs.

I can't believe what might actually happen in the NBA. The Eastern conference is ugly, leaving the door open for many unexpected teams to grab the final spots for the postseason. For a team a year ago that was the laughing stock of the league now has a chance to enter the postseason. Madison Square Garden can have a good reason to cause a raucous beyond the usual all-out brawls and showering of trash thrown on the court from vengeful hecklers. If Isiah Thomas can pull this feat off he will save his job, which looked to be in jeopardy for a while.

Okay to get an idea of how bad the East is the Knicks are 31-40, still able to hang around. In the West that wouldn't cut it. The season would be over already. The Celtics and 76ers have shown no consistency, unable to go on any decent winning streak. As far as other unlikely competition the Raptors have emerged at the top of the Atlantic division. They're coming off a huge win (or at least I think so) against the Heat Wednesday night, 96-83. Chris Bosh has become a leader on the team. He finished the game with 13 points and 18 rebounds. Guard Anthony Parker added 20 points.

How about the Raptors, they're 39-32! Sure that's not a great record, but considering the contenders they've played and actually beaten the Cavs, Rockets, and the Heat. It should be enough to help the franchise make their first playoff appearance. Toronto has an overlooked, talented group featuring sweet-shooting guards, T.J. Ford, Anthony Parker, and Juan Dixon. These guys are making the difference, each deadly shooters from beyond the arc.

They deserve to make the playoffs because they're come a long way since their expansion year. Toronto faces Washington on the road Friday. With a second consecutive win they put further distance between them and other Eastern challengers in the race. In the Knicks, on the other hand will have to hope and pray for a miracle!