With the New York Knicks firmly entrenched in the playoffs, the last week of the regular season serves as nothing more than a fight for playoff positioning and some practice.
Amare Stoudemire is back in the lineup and New York is 1-1 after losing in Cleveland before narrowing taking care of business against Atlanta 113-112 on Sunday. The final two games will be a good time for head coach Mike Woodson to get his main men some rest and also a chance to gel when they are on the court together.
On Wednesday, New York welcomes the Los Angeles Clippers and Blake Griffin into Madison Square Garden. The Clippers finally look like a basketball team for the time since, well, ever.
With Chris Paul running the show and turning the Staples Center into "Lob City", L.A. fans are finally feeling good. The Clips will be battling hard as they enter the final week just a half game back of their inter-city rival Lakers for the Pacific Division crown.
Thursday brings the last game of the season and one that could have historical ramifications. If the Charlotte Bobcats lose both of their next two contests, they will need to beat the Knicks in order to avoid the distinction as having the worst winning percentage of all-time.
One would think this to be a sure thing on the surface, but if New York is locked into a playoff seed the Bobcats might pull it out.
Then again, maybe they could beat the Knicks even at full strength as they did earlier in the season. New York fans would certainly hope to avoid that embarrassment.
For more on the Knicks, please be sure to check out our blog Posting and Toasting along with SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.