The Bulls free fall continues out of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. They suffered their second defeat to the Knicks in as many days and are now 1-1/2 games behind the Pistons for the eighth and final spot.
The Hawks magic number to clinch a playoff spot stands at six, although they own the tie-breaker over the Bulls having won all three games, with one remaining, played this season.
The Hawks host the Bucks tonight, a team they’ve lost to twice in overtime. The remain third in the conference but just a half-game ahead of the Hornets in sixth. Seven of the Hawks’ remaining 10 games are against teams with a record of .500 or better.
In other key matchups in the conference playoff race on Friday, the Wizards host the Timberwolves, the Pistons host the Hornets, the Heat host the Magic and the Rockets host the Raptors.
Here’s a look at the playoff picture in the East:
* - Clinched playoff berth
**_ Eliminated from playoffs
About the Author
