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.

* - Clinched playoff spot

**- Eliminated from playoffs

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Atlanta Hawks' Larry Nance Jr. (22) attempts a layup during second half of a basketball game against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Atlanta, at State Farm Arena. (Jason Allen/AJC)

Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC