Oh Happy Day! Knicks clinch playoff berth

KNICKS 123
HAWKS 107

For the first time since 2003 the New York Knicks are heading to the postseason; and in many ways for the first time since 2000 are the Knicks sending a legit contender into the playoffs.

Sure the Knicks (38-38) have seen a lot of ups and downs since they acquired Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billips in February, but the Knicks have been on the move in a upward direction, thanks to the hard work of GM Donnie Walsh.

Three years ago, Walsh was given the task of cleaning up Isiah Thomas' mess from bad PR to bad contracts, Walsh dealt with it, and has put the Knicks in a position to be a playoff contender for years to come.

On Sunday night, all the Knicks had to do was beat the dreadful Cleveland Cavs, and in typical Knicks fashion, they played no defense whatsoever, as J.J. Hickson scored 23 points, and Baron Davis scored 22 for the Cavs in the defeat.

The Knicks were led by Billups 28 points, as well as 22 from Anthony and 25 more from Amare Stoudemire. The Knicks Big Three will be the key to any successful playoff run they have this year, and they will be tested from the get-go, when they will likely match-up against the more well known Big Three of the Miami Heat in the first round.

The Knicks held their own against LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh this season, splitting the four games with the Heat, including an impressive 91-86 victory in Miami on Academy Awards night.

The Knicks will probably perfer the Heat, who have a propensity to come up small in big moments. Drawing the Boston Celtics would be like doomsday for the '10-'11 Knicks, who have yet to beat the Celtics, who have been to two of the last three NBA Finals.