TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on Raptors small forward Steve Novak, Nets shooting guard Marcus Thorntons firepower and deep range, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondos talent and the Chicago Bulls harder work on the court. 1. HUGE GAME: Im here in NYC for the Raptors at Nets game Monday night. Some games are just bigger than others and this is one of them. Four games separate them for first place in the Atlantic. Tie-breaker at stake, as well. A win by the Raps would be a major step with only 20 games to play beyond this one. Both are on a back-to-back. Its a tough challenge for Toronto versus a desperate opponent. I cant wait. 2. STEVE NOVAK (Raptors): The five three-pointers at Minnesota were major. Patrick Patterson is out and its all about digging deeper into your bench and he delivered. The sum is more important than the parts. Love how Landry Fields and Chuck Hayes have performed when needed as well. 3. MARCUS THORNTON (Nets): 27 points Sunday night versus his old Kings team. A terrific pickup for Brooklyn. He gives them firepower and deep range. Streaky scorer who can change a game quick if hes hot. He did that on Sunday night. He is the perfect complement off the bench for their team. 4. RAJON RONDO (Celtics): 11 points and 18 assists on Sunday versus the Pistons. GM Danny Ainges phone will be ringing off the hook this summer if he keeps dropping as many dimes as he did on Sunday. Hes a wonderful talent and if he gets back to being the explosive lead guard he once was, watch out! 5. CHICAGO BULLS: Watched their overtime win over the Heat on Sunday. What can you say, other than wow! No team in the NBA plays harder than them. Coach Thibodeau gets after it and Joakim Noah is that guy you want on your side. Hustle truly is a talent. John Smoltz Braves Jersey . Im very excited about the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference with amazing match-ups, as well as the wonderful local story in the Toronto Raptors. It should be a blast. Here are my predictions, but based upon my lousy prognostications during the NCAA Tournament, you might be better off going the other way on some of mine - particularly with the Raptors, who I hope and pray are able to win an incredibly difficult match-up. Biff Pocoroba Jersey . Left-handed reliever Boone Logan agreed to a $16.5 million, three-year contract on Friday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. https://www.cheapbraves.com/. Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Doug Martin broke the news that hes cleared for full activity moving forward. Custom Atlanta Braves Jerseys . I kind of got a taste of being able to pick a suit with the draft lottery, I went with the bow tie. Jerry Blevins Braves Jersey . Showing more spark after not taking enough challenging shots on goal in their 1-0 loss Friday night, the Bruins had 18 shots in the first period after managing just 25 in the entire opener. Luke Glendening cut Bostons lead to 2-1 at 13:20 of the second period before Milan Lucic scored late in the second and Zdeno Chara added a power-play goal early in the third.MAYS LANDING, N.J. -- Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is due in a New Jersey courtroom to face aggravated assault charges stemming from an incident with his then-girlfriend in an Atlantic City casino elevator. Rice, the former Rutgers star, goes to court Thursday on charges of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. The charge involves a Feb. 15 incident at Revel Casino Hotel. Security video obtained by TMZ Sports shows Rice removing the motionless body of Janay Palmer from the elevator.dddddddddddd The couple got married a day after Rice was indicted on the charge. Originally, Palmer and Rice were charged with simple assault, but the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office reviewed the case and dropped the charge against Palmer. His attorney says Rice and Palmer are living happily in Maryland with their young daughter. ' ' '