The Hawks open the playoffs at the Nets or Pacers. That much is certain.
With two games remaining in the regular season for the Hawks, it has yet to be determined whether they will enter their sixth straight postseason as the fifth or sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. It won’t be decided until Wednesday before the second season gets underway this weekend.
“We definitely want that fifth spot,” Hawks forward DeShawn Stevenson said Monday after two off days. “We have to go out there, play hard and take these games seriously.
“Me personally, I think we match up better with Brooklyn. I would like to have that fifth spot. I think a lot of people on our team feel like that. It’s important to win out and get ready for the playoffs.”
The Hawks (44-36) hold a half-game lead over the Bulls (44-37), who defeated the Magic 102-84 on Monday, for the fifth spot. They are the only two teams that can change position in the next two days.
Here is a look at the playoff picture (seeding in parenthesis):
- The Heat (1) and Bucks (8) are locked into position and will meet in the first round.
- The Knicks (2) and Celtics (7) are locked into position and will meet in the first round.
- The Pacers (3) are locked into their spot and will host a series. They hold the position over the Nets because of the division winner tiebreaker.
- The Nets (4) are locked into their spot and will host a series.
- By holding a half-game lead over the Bulls, the Hawks can clinch the fifth spot with wins in their two remaining games — home against the Raptors Tuesday and at the Knicks Wednesday — and would earn a first-round matchup against the Nets.
- Since the Bulls hold the tiebreaker over the Hawks, by winning the season series 2-1, they would get the fifth seed should the teams finish with the same record. If the Hawks lose both remaining games, the Bulls need to win their remaining game against the Wizards get the fifth spot. If they Hawks split their remaining games, the final outcome will be determined by the result of the Bulls final game. If the Hawks finish sixth, they would open against the Pacers.
- The Hawks have split the four-game season-series with both the Nets and Pacers. Against the Nets, each team won once on the other's home floor. Against the Pacers, each team won both home games.
“We still have something to play for so we are going to play,” coach Larry Drew said. “I’ve been asked the question often as far as who would I rather play. Either or. Both teams are good teams. We split with both teams. At this stage, it is either or.”
The Raptors, the Hawks opponent Tuesday, have played a big role in the current Eastern Conference standings. The lottery-bound Raptors defeated the Bulls Friday to push them behind the Hawks. They also prevented the Nets from moving up to the third seed by defeating them Sunday.
The Hawks have won both meetings against the Raptors this season.
“We want to focus on the last two games,” guard Devin Harris said. “We haven’t clinched a seed yet and we want to stay where we are at. We’ll take these last two games, try to win them and go into the playoffs on as high a note as we can.”
Drew said it is an advantage for those teams that already know their playoff opponent. Knicks coach Mike Woodson told New York reporters he intends to rest some of his players over the final two regular-season games, which includes the game against the Hawks.
“If they want to sit and think about getting ready for the playoffs, I’ll do that,” Woodson said. “I don’t have a problem with that. I’m kind of following [Carmelo Anthony] and Raymond [Felton] and guys that are in uniform that’s played some big minutes.”
Drew said his approach to the final game could change if the Hawks’ position has been determined.
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