Eastern Conference Playoff Picture: Hawks up to third, Raptors clinch
There was quite a bit of movement in the Eastern Conference standings after Wednesday’s results.
The Hawks moved back into third place with their revenge win over the Wizards. The Celtics moved to fourth with a win over the Raptors. The Heat fell to fifth after their loss to the Spurs. The Pistons moved into the eighth and final playoff spot with a win over the Magic and a Bulls loss to the Knicks. The Raptors clinched a playoff spot by virtue of the Bulls loss. Spots 3-6 still remain just a half-game apart.
The Hawks magic number to clinch a playoff spot dropped to seven.
In key conference games Thursday, the Pacers host the Pelicans, the Cavaliers play at the Nets and the Bulls and Knicks meet again.
Here’s a look at the playoff picture in the East:
| Rank | Team | W-L | Pct. | Div. | Conf. | Home | Away | GB | >=.500 (H/A) | <=.500 (H/A) |
| 1 | Cleveland* | 51-20 | .718 | 7-5 | 29-13 | 30-6 | 21-14 | - | 6 (3/3) |
* - Clinched playoff berth
** - Eliminated from playoffs
About the Author
Chris Vivlamore is the sports editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has served as reporter and editor at the AJC since 2003.
