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We've been in a three way race for 6th with the Magic and the Heat, but as I write this on February 23, the Sixers have fallen back to only a game ahead of the peloton. We're now in a four way race for 5th. The Sixers have two difficult games coming up and a win Sunday could put us in fifth.

There is a very distinct break after the top eight teams. You can draw a line and see the difference from #8 Miami 30-25 to #9 Chicago 26-30. Pretty clear separation at that point.

Tom White wrote:There is a very distinct break after the top eight teams. You can draw a line and see the difference from #8 Miami 30-25 to #9 Chicago 26-30. Pretty clear separation at that point.

there was once another clear separation a little above us but injuries in Philly and New York and disfunction in Milwaukee have narrowed that gap. now the only really big gap at the top is between 1 and 2 and Cleveland at 2 is pulling ahead of 3rd.

Wizop wrote:We've been in a three way race for 6th with the Magic and the Heat, but as I write this on February 23, the Sixers have fallen back to only a game ahead of the peloton. We're now in a four way race for 5th. The Sixers have two difficult games coming up and a win Sunday could put us in fifth.

Well Embiid is gonna be out about 6 more weeks and they are not the same team without him. I could see them dropping back.

https://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength

Looks like this is going to be a REALLY good race down to the wire for 5th - 8th. If there was ever a time for a team to just get hot, start putting down the gas pedal on their opponents, and clearly establishing themselves,... this would be it. =]

I haven't looked at the schedules for other teams, but the Pacers do have a couple of worrying road trips upcoming that may be the make-or-break of the standings.

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Since they still have Dejounte Murray it will be interesting to see if the Hawks rise up from their current 10th place or fall out of the playoffs without Trae’s services.

Pacers Forever wrote:Since they still have Dejounte Murray it will be interesting to see if the Hawks rise up from their current 10th place or fall out of the playoffs without Trae’s services.

They play the Magic today. We could use a Hawks win but don't expect it.

Hawks beat Magic, Celts beat Sixers, and we beat Mavs. Good Sunday.

Raptors up next and then two with Pelicans.

Every time I think we're going to pull into the top four, we drop a game and remind me we are a 45 win team at best.

Wizop wrote:Every time I think we're going to pull into the top four, we drop a game and remind me we are a 45 win team at best.

A team that we should beat,... that played exactly our game,... beat us in transition on both ends,... and used their transition offense to get into the paint. Yes,... we were tired, but we still needed to play the game.

Wizop wrote:Every time I think we're going to pull into the top four, we drop a game and remind me we are a 45 win team at best.

I'll be happy if we are in the top 6, unbothered if we win in the play in, and really upset to lose in the playin

boomershadow wrote:

Wizop wrote:Every time I think we're going to pull into the top four, we drop a game and remind me we are a 45 win team at best.

I'll be happy if we are in the top 6, unbothered if we win in the play in, and really upset to lose in the playin

agreed. I'd happily finish 6th and avoid the Celts until the conference finals. but right now 5 through 8 are densely packed.

Fell to eighth tonight. Heat still playing against Trailblazers.

Good news is Knicks and 76ers both lost bunching the pack tighter.

Pacers fall to 8th after the Pelican beat down. Spurs up next better be a road win because the schedule gets tougher after that game.

I guess the Pacers aren’t the only team getting beat up. Celtics 140 Warriors 88

76ers surprising beat the Mavericks today. No gaining on the 76ers today.

Pistons at the Magic.

Knicks at the Cavaliers

Cavaliers won
Magic won
Heat won


Knicks lost
76ers lost

If the Pacers win still won’t move up but each win pulls them closer to the pack.

Cavs have lose again and could be in for a small fall with both Mobley and Mitchell both out injured.

76ers lose again and should fall below Pacers soon.

Conversely the Magic are on a hot streak again moving up.

KAT may be out tonight making a gain in the standings more possible. I won't say it's likely though.

EDIT we're two games in the loss column back of most of the pack so one win won't help much. looking ahead though the pack is starting to have games against each other so if we can stack a few wins we should pass someone.

Pacers lose to Timberwolves and at least the Heat lose also. No other playoff contenders were in action.