If the playoffs started today, the top-seeded Chicago Bulls would take on the eighth-seeded New York Knicks in the first round. Today, New York's playoff chances were dealt a devastating blow when it was revealed that power forward Amare Stoudemire will be out indefinitely with a bulging disc in his back. Stoudemire won't have surgery, but it appears unlikely he'll be back this season.

Stoudemire joins teammates Jeremy Lin and Jared Jeffries on the injury list for New York. Stoudemire's absence certainly opens up a big opportunity for the Milwaukee Bucks, who currently sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, just 1.5 behind the Knicks.

The Bulls have had success against both teams this season. Chicago is 2-0 against the Knicks, and has two games remaining (April 8 and April 10) against New York. The Bulls are 4-0 versus the Bucks. The two teams do not meet again in the regular season.

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