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The Eastern Conference is a bloodbath. Outside of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors perched at the top of the standings, the rest of the conference is engaged in a battle for positioning, to the point where the eight teams falling between third and tenth in the standings are separated by just six games.

In short, the Eastern Conference Playoff picture is wide open.

That, of course, extends to the Atlanta Hawks, who sit in fifth place (as of the games ending on Mar. 2) with a record of 33-28. The Hawks now face an uphill battle as the Hawks actually have the most difficult schedule ahead.

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We are closer to the 9th seed than the 2nd seed at this point. Any concerns regarding our making the playoffs?
Any thoughts on our potential seeding and playoff matchups, or is just getting into the postseason enough?

Not really concerned that we won't make the playoffs, this team seems to have started hitting its stride a bit since that GS third quarter.

I'd much rather finished 6th than 5th, as far as seeding goes. Playing Boston is more of a favorable matchup for us if they finish third than Miami, and I'd much rather take my chances with Toronto in round 2 than Cleveland (again, assuming the top 4 stay where they're at).


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If we want it, and all of Bud's moves (and non-moves) indicate we want it, we'll make the playoffs.

But I wouldn't be surprised to see us intentionally drop a couple of games in the last weeks of the season to secure 6th or 7th place...thus avoiding CLE as long as possible. We used a similar tactic in the last game of the regular season in 2015. Losing to CHI purposefully in a matchup neither team wanted to win. (A wise move, if a little cowardly...)

CHI is falling and I think will intentionally tank this season and get a lottery pick.

WAS is rising and still has a legit shot at the division.

If ATL can't get to the 3rd seed...we'll settle for 6th.

I'm okay with being any of the 3rd, 6th, and 7th seeds. Basically do whatever it takes to avoid Cleveland in the second round.

I really would like to see Boston and Charlotte go at Cleveland. They offer the best shot at knocking them off imo. Both have the depth on the wings to throw at Lebron, and Boston is just clicking really well right now, which would hopefully make for a better ECF matchup, if we could make it that far.

Concerned? Not really!
I believe our team will do what it needs to accomplish to make the playoffs.
The season is begging to reach that point where they can lose focus.

Geaux_Hawks, I'd also like to see Boston face Cleveland.

Im not that concerned because I dont believe we make it out of the 2nd round. Missing the playoffs is about as productive as 2nd round exit in my mind, especially given our 1st round drafting prowess.

Whatever happens, id live to see Boston get CLE in round 1. With a healthy Crowder.

The goal has been 3rd place ever since Toronto ran away with 2nd, but looking at the schedules, I realistically wouldn't bet on us getting 3rd. It looks like Miami could be in the best position for that spot, especially if they get Bosh back. I also wouldn't want to face Miami in round 1, if Bosh is back.

Maybe 4th place, and a matchup with Charlotte/Boston isn't the worst thing in the world, even if it means getting Lebron in round 2.


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Dream scenario is:

1-CLE 2-TOR 3-ATL 4-BOS/MIA 5-MIA/BOS 6-CHA 7-CHI 8-DET/IND

or better

1-TOR 2-CLE 3-BOS/MIA 4-ATL 5-CHA 6-MIA/BOS 7-DET/IND 8-CHI

-Toronto is guaranteed a first round exit if it plays Chicago. If no Chicago, I wouldn't mind Toronto-Washington III.
-Indiana & Detroit play Cleveland tough. Boston & Miami play them tougher. Could wear Cleveland down before ECF.
-We probably get our easiest road playing Charlotte in the first round and Toronto in the second.

The Hawks are nearly assured a playoff berth, their Eastern Conference leading ninth straight trip, with eight games remaining in the regular season. They have won three straight, eight of nine and 11 of 13 games. The Hawks are 11-3 in the month of March.

Despite their winning ways, the Hawks have not been able to separate from a crowded middle of the pack in the East. The Hawks have the second toughest remaining strength of schedule of the 13 teams not eliminated in the conference...The Hawks have two games remaining with the Cavaliers and Raptors, first and second respectively in the conference, and one with the Celtics as part of their finish. Here

If they can beat TOR and CLE i could care less about Boston. stay the 3 seed.

I would rather stay away from the "gauntlet" with the Cavs, Pistons, Heat, and Celtics in it. The much safer road lies with Charlotte, Toronto, and the Pacers.

Hawks clinched a berth, don't know who lost to get it though, bulls maybe

DirtybirdGA wrote:Hawks clinched a berth, don't know who lost to get it though, bulls maybe

Wizards, losing to Golden State. Our magic number before last night was 1, taking into account that Washington could've theoretically finished ahead of us due to conference record tiebreaker.


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I was really hoping the Cavs would get the W last night. A Cavs win last night + a win for us vs the Raptors tonight would put the Raps 4 games behind Cleveland with only 8 left to play. That would have locked the teams in to their spots and possibly given us a much easier final 6 games.

Stayed up to watch the Lakers-Heat, and it ended up being well worth it. Lakers beat the Heat in double OT, as we consolidate third place, for tonight at least.

Demarcus Cousins is suspended for their upcoming game against Miami, after he picked up his 16th tech with 6 seconds left in a game that was already decided tonight.

Our playoff status is secured, but let's use this thread to talk about playoff positioning, and the teams around us in the standings. I'll sticky.

Big time win by the Lakers. Kings had a decent shot vs Miami, but Cousins gets a T up 14 with 6 seconds left in the game. So immature.