So which team will it be? Let's just say the folks in Atlanta might soon be able to put away the paper bags.
Yes, Hawks fans, your eight-year playoff drought -- longest in the NBA -- could be about to end.
The Hawks sure didn't look much like a playoff team Tuesday night in Chicago. Given a chance to deliver perhaps a mortal blow to a struggling foe, they instead came out flat and allowed the Bulls to rack up 19 offensive rebounds (leading to a 20-8 edge in second-chance points) in a 103-94 loss. They also fumbled away several scoring chances under the basket.
The Hawks are the hungriest team in this race. The Nets, Pacers and Bulls all have seen better days. They know their seasons are going to end in disappointment no matter what. For Atlanta, making the playoffs at least would represent progress.
The Hawks' remaining schedule gives them a bit of an edge, too. Here's a look (with help from the old SI.com crystal ball) at how this little taffy pull among East lightweights should play out.
Nothing new... getting some burn though