Hunting Fresh Prey: Bucks Closing in on 76ers

(Photo-US PRESSWIRE)

Give the New York Knicks credit.

Sure, the Knicks blew a 21-point first-half lead. They also teetered on the brink of defeat late, when any of four Chicago free throws could have salted away the game for the Bulls. But facing a tie for the eighth spot in the Easter Conference standing, with only a sliver of a chance to eke out a victory, the Knicks made some incredible shots and slithered their way to a win.

Carmelo Anthony’s 43-point gem on Easter in the Garden will be talked about for a long time.

As a result, the Bucks fell a full game behind New York in the standings — but hours later, they also pulled within a game of a plummeting Philadelphia squad.

With a loss to Boston, the 76ers fell into a tie with New York in the standings.  Philadelphia, after looking like a title contender in the season’s first month, have fizzled back to reality. In their last 26 games, they have 9 wins and 17 losses.

Here are the remaining ten games for the 76ers:

Tue Apr 10, 2012  @ New Jersey Nets
Wed Apr 11, 2012  @ Toronto Raptors
Fri Apr 13, 2012  v. New Jersey Nets
Mon Apr 16, 2012  @ Orlando Magic
Tue Apr 17, 2012  v. Indiana Pacers
Wed Apr 18, 2012  @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Sat Apr 21, 2012  @ Indiana Pacers
Mon Apr 23, 2012  @ New Jersey Nets
Wed Apr 25, 2012  @ Milwaukee Bucks
Thu Apr 26, 2012  @ Detroit Pistons

While that slate is not a Murderer’s Row of NBA teams (three games in 14 days against the Nets ?!?), note that Philadelphia has 8 of its 10 remaining games on the road — including five in a row (and four in six days) to close out the season.

April 25 also looms large — on the second-to-last day of the season, the Bucks and 76ers will play in the Bradley Center.  In addition to being one last mano y mano tilt for  a playoff spot, it will also determine the season tiebreaker. If the teams end up deadlocked at season’s end, head-to-head win-loss record breaks the tie.

Milwaukee and Philadelphia have split a pair of games this season to date. The next one could decide the season’s fate for both teams.