The Hawks keep winning - and still remain just a half-game ahead of the Celtics for third in the Eastern Conference.
Despite winning three straight, eight of nine and 11 of 13 games, the Hawks haven’t created much separation. The Celtics have won four straight games, including Saturday at the Suns. In the tight East race, the Hawks, Celtics, Heat and Hornets are just 1-1/2 games apart for spots 3-6.
The Hawks reduced thier magic number to clinch a playoff spot to two following Saturday’s win at the Pistons. The Hawks could clinch a berth as soon as Monday. The Wizards have played two less games than the Hawks and are still a factor. The Hawks have the second toughest remaining schedule in the East based on strength of schedule.
In key games Sunday in the East, the Pacers host the Rockets and the Wizards play at the Lakers.
Here’s a look at the playoff picture in the East:
| Rk | Team | W-L | Pct. | Div. | Conf. | Home | Away | GB | >=.500 (H/A) | <=.500 (H/A) |
| 1 | Cleveland-y | 52-21 | .712 | 7-5 | 30-14 | 30-6 | 22-15 | - | 6 (3/3) | 3 (2/1) |
| 2 | Toronto-x | 49-23 | .681 | 11-2 | 33-12 | 28-8 | 21-15 | 2.5 | 7 (4/3) | 3 (1/2) |
| 3 | Atlanta | 44-30 | .595 | 8-7 | 26-19 | 24-13 | 20-17 | 8.5 | 6 (3/3) | 2 (1/1) |
| 4 | Boston | 43-30 | .589 | 10-6 | 29-19 | 25-12 | 18-18 | 9 | 6 (2/4) | 3 (2/1) |
| 5 | Miami | 42-30 | .583 | 9-5 | 26-19 | 24-13 | 18-17 | 9.5 | 5 (2/3) | 5 (2/3) |
| 6 | Charlotte | 42-31 | .575 | 7-7 | 27-16 | 27-11 | 15-20 | 10 | 3 (0/3) | 6 (3/3) |
| 7 | Indiana | 38-34 | .528 | 6-7 | 24-19 | 22-13 | 16-21 | 13.5 | 3 (2/1) | 7 (4/3) |
| 8 | Detroit | 39-35 | .527 | 8-6 | 25-21 | 24-13 | 15-22 | 13.5 | 5 (2/3) | 3 (2/1) |
| 9 | Chicago | 36-36 | .500 | 7-5 | 21-24 | 24-13 | 12-23 | 15.5 | 6 (3/3) | 4 (1/3) |
| 10 | Washington | 35-37 | .486 | 8-6 | 26-21 | 19-19 | 16-18 | 16.5 | 5 (2/3) | 5 (1/4) |
| 11 | Orlando | 30-43 | .411 | 3-10 | 17-27 | 19-17 | 11-26 | 22 | 6 (3/3) | 3 (2/1) |
| 12 | Milwaukee | 30-44 | .405 | 4-9 | 19-26 | 21-15 | 9-29 | 22.5 | 4 (3/1) | 4 (2/2) |
| 13 | New York | 30-44 | .405 | 6-7 | 19-27 | 17-20 | 13-24 | 22.5 | 4 (3/1) | 4 (1/3) |
| 14 | Brooklyn** | 21-51 | .292 | 6-8 | 12-31 | 14-24 | 7-27 | 30.5 | 5 (1/4) | 5 (2/3) |
| 15 | Philadelphia** | 9-64 | .123 | 2-12 | 3-42 | 6-30 | 3-34 | 43 | 6 (2/4) | 3 (3/0) |
y - Clinched division
x - Clinched playoff berth
** - Eliminated from playoffs
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