Eastern Conference Playoff Picture: Hawks will finish third or...

The Cavaliers clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a victory over the Hawks Monday night. It wasn’t entirely bad news for the Hawks as they clinched home-court advantage, either the third or fourth seed, when the Hornets defeated the Celtics. The Hawks will open the playoffs at Philips Arena either Saturday or Sunday.

The Hawks hold a half-game lead over the Heat, who have two games remaining. The Heat hold the tiebreaker over the Hawks. That would give the Heat the Southeast Division title and the third seed if they finish with the same record. The Hawks hold tie breakers over the Celtics and Hornets and can’t be caught.

There are still plenty of scenarios for playoff position in the conference. Key games Tuesday night are Knicks at Pacers and Heat at Pistons.

Here is a look at the current playoff picture in the East:

Eliminated from playoffs: Chicago, Washington, Orlando, Milwaukee, New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia

x - Clinched playoff berth

y - Clinched division

z - Clinched top seed

Remaining games

Cavaliers: vs. Pistons

Raptors: vs. 76ers, at Nets

Hawks: at Wizards

Heat: at Pistons, at Celtics

Celtics: vs. Heat

Hornets: vs. Magic

Pacers: vs. Knicks, at Bucks

Pistons: vs. Heat, at Cavaliers

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