NBA Standings 2012: Knicks Still Not A Playoff Lock

The New York Knicks are rolling merrily along during the Mike Woodson era. Saturday's victory over the Detroit Pistons made six victories in seven games since Woodson replaced Mike D'Antoni as Knicks' head coach.

All might seem well in the Knicks' world. Reality is, though, that the Knicks remain a sub-.500 team (24-25) and while they do hold the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot, the Milwaukee Bucks are right on their heels. Milwaukee (22-26) is just 1.5 games behind, and the Bucks are playing well. Milwaukee has won seven of its last 10, so the Knicks cannot afford to slip up.

The Knicks have 17 games remaining, the first of which will be Monday night at Madison Square Garden against those Bucks. That game will go a long way toward determining if the Knicks will be in a playoff fight down to the wire, or if they will have some breathing room.

With the rise of Linsanity, D'Antoni leaving and the wild streaks the Knicks have experienced this season has been a crazy ride for New York. The fun, though, might just be beginning.