Eastern Conference Playoff Picture: Hawks reduce magic number to eight

The Hawks kept their half-game lead over the Heat for third place in the Eastern Conference on Saturday after both teams recorded impressive wins. The Hawks defeated the Rockets at home, 109-97, and the Heat defeated the Cavaliers at home, 122-101. The teams gained a (small) amount of separation over the Celtics and Hornets, as those teams are tied after a Hornets home loss to the Nuggets.

Just to muck things up a little more, the Bulls and Pistons are separated by just .001 for the eighth and final playoff spot after they each won home games.

The Hawks reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to eight with 12 games remaining in the regular season.

Here’s a look at where things stand in the East on Sunday.