Lakers/Sixers Darkhorses? Celtics Scars. OKC Title Threat Headline NBA 1st Round. NHL’s Quirky Schedule. Rangers, Leafs, Oilers & Wide Open Cup Race As Playoffs Loom. Deaths In MLB

Playoff mode is activated as I’ll uncover what the NBA & NHL has in store for the next few days. Plus, anything else that’s happening in sports as the latest podcast has arrived. On deck: (4:00) We’re two play-in games from the NBA playoffs tipping off on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers and Sixers have punched their tickets as #7 seeds in their respective conferences. As unconventional lower seeds that they are, could they be darkhorses to make deep runs in the postseason? I’ll preview tomorrow night’s do-or-die #8 seed games between Bulls-Heat and Kings-Pelicans. I’ll unpack the top storylines of this year’s playoffs (ex. Celtics scars/trustworthy, OKC title worthy?, Bucks expectations/fortitude and more) and preview the opening round of all the matchups as the quest for the Lawrence O’Brien Trophy commences this weekend. (41:15) Due to a strange quirk in the schedule, the NHL has a half dozen games out West today, but the East has completed all 82 of their games. I’ll share my disdain for that, discuss the storylines of what may lie ahead (Rangers Cup threat, Leafs pressure, Oilers time to shine, a wide open field for a champion) as well as preview the East matchups since the West hasn’t been settled as of yet. Hence, quirky schedule. (59:41) Sadly, there were a few deaths in baseball over the past few days. Hall of Fame manager of the Royals & Cardinals of the 70’s & 80’s, Whitey Herzog passed away at 92. The last living Brooklyn Dodger, Carl Erskine, died at 97. And former Oakland A’s champion pitcher, Ken Holtzman died at 78. The longtime radio voice of the New York Yankees, John Sterling abruptly retired this week. I’ll have a good thought about him and his career. I’ll even get into how the Mets have won 10 of 13 after an 0-5 start. They’ll have a litmus test this weekend as they go to LA to play the Dodgers for three games. I’ll also take a look at the schedule to see if there are any interesting series on the docket. I’m honored to welcome in a new partnership to the podcast. Are you familiar with Olipop soda? If not, you’ll definitely want to acquaint yourself with this healthy, crisp and refreshing beverage that has no GMO’s, organic with natural ingredients that you can read. They have the classics (Vintage Cola, Root Beer, Ginger Ale, Lemon Lime) as well as new flavors that are irresistible (Banana Cream, Watermelon Lime and my favorite, Tropical Punch) Please go to www.drinkolipop.com, type in SODALOVE for 15% off of your purchase. Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Audacy, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. For daily shorts, weekly vlogs and then some, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMucZq-BQrUrpuQzQ-jYF7w If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast   Many thanks for all of your love and support.   Intro/outro music by Cyklonus. LINKS TO SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jayreelz-podcast/id1354797894 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7jtCQwuPOg334jmZ0xiA2D?si=22c9a582ef7a4566 AUDACY: https://www.audacy.com/podcast/the-jayreelz-podcast-d9f50 iHEARTRADIO: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-jayreelz-podcast-43104270/ AMAZON MUSIC: https://www.amazon.com/The-JAYREELZ-Podcast/dp/B08K58SW24/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+jayreelz+podcast&qid=1606319520&sr=8-1