:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25561859/20131220_kkt_ad1_119.0.jpg)
Not much has changed in the Eastern Conference standings over the last week. Indiana and Miami continue to be the creme of the crop while the Atlanta Hawks are the only other team with a better than .500 record.
The Heat have won four straight and seven of ten to pull within one game of the Pacers in the East. The Hawks are also riding a three-game winning streak and will put that to the test on Monday when they travel to Miami. At 15-12, Atlanta is 6.5 back of the Pacers and two games in front of Washington who have also won three straight.
The Boston Celtics continue to lead the Atlantic with a 12-16 record and are currently slotted in fourth place in the standings. Charlotte, Detroit and Toronto round out the East's very early playoff picture.
Here is a look at the current standings:
Atlanta is just 4-8 on the road this season and that will get put to the test over the next five games to close out 2014. The Hawks head to Miami on Monday before breaking for Christmas. They are in Cleveland on Thursday before a quick trip back to Philips Arena to face Charlotte on Saturday.
They head out again after facing the Bobcats for a back-to-back against Orlando. Atlanta then closes out the 2013 calendar year with an afternoon matinee on New Year's Eve in Boston.
Here is a look at the next five games: