Los Angeles, California - The Knicks are closing in on the playoffs!

With an impressive 106-100 road victory against the stacked Clippers, New York, currently fourth in the East, moved three games ahead of the seventh-seeded Celtics with four to play.

The Knicks (38-30) only need to finish in the top six to avoid a play-in game, and their magic number is two. In other words, the franchise’s first playoff berth in eight years could be clinched as soon as Tuesday with a victory over the Lakers and a Celtics defeat to the Heat.

"That would be big," Derrick Rose said. "But at the same time, (Tom Thibodeau) always talks about going through the finish line. We have to do our jobs to make sure we’re sharp and have a keen type of focus."

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The Knicks’ victory Sunday afternoon, among the best of their fantastic season, was on the back of Rose, the unexpected super-sub, who scored 19 of his 25 points in the first half and shot an efficient 11-for-17 with eight assists.

He picked up the offensive slack for a struggling Julius Randle (14 points overall), who waited until crunch time to reiterate his All-Star status by connecting on three consecutive jumpers in the final three minutes.

New York’s victory snapped its two-game losing streak. It was also the franchise’s first road win over the Clippers since 2010.

The Knicks are also guaranteed at least a .500 record on their six-game road trip, with the finale Tuesday against the LeBron-less Lakers. The Clippers, meanwhile, will take on the Raptors.

Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in a big win against the Celtics, 130-124. The Mavs had it much easier against the Cavaliers, despite Luka Doncic's ejection, and left Cleveland with a 124-97 victory.

Anthony Davis carried the Lakers over the line against the Suns, scoring a monster 42 points in the 123-110 win. Over in Sacramento, the Kings beat the Thunder 126-98.

The Pelicans squeaked past the Hornets 112-110, while the Timberwolves easily handled the Magic 128-96. There were no surprises in Detroit, as the Pistons disappointing season continued with a 108-96 loss to the Bulls.

On Monday, the Golden State Warriors host the Jazz in a crucial game for their chances of a playoff spot.