Have any idea how bad the Eastern Conference is? Consider the situation for the Atlanta Hawks who have lost six straight and 14 of their last 15 games. Despite all of those losses Atlanta is still 2.5 games in front of Detroit for the East's final playoff spot.
Team | W | L | GB |
6. Brooklyn Nets | 30 | 30 | 15.0 |
7. Charlotte Bobcats | 29 | 34 | 17.5 |
8. Atlanta Hawks | 26 | 35 | 19.5 |
9. Detroit Pistons | 24 | 38 | 22.0 |
10. New York Knicks | 24 | 40 | 23.0 |
11. Cleveland Cavaliers | 24 | 40 | 23.0 |
When a team has lost 14 of 15 they are likely not above claiming a moral victory. If that is the case then Saturday's 109-108 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers qualifies for the Hawks. Atlanta has finally gotten healthy and Pero Antic moved back into the starting lineup on Saturday.
A first round playoff matchup against either Miami or Indiana is less than ideal for a team like Atlanta. However, the Hawks are 4.5 back of Brooklyn and may have dug themselves too big of a hole to realistically have a shot at the sixth seed without some serious help from the Nets.
None of the teams chasing the Hawks though look like a sure fire bet to overtake them either. Detroit has lost two straight and eight of 10. Cleveland has lost four straight while the Knicks have awakened with three straight wins to just get into the conversation.
Here is a look at Atlanta's upcoming schedule:
Date | Opponent | Time | TV |
Mon Mar 10 | @Utah | 9:00 pm | SportSouth |
Thur Mar 13 | vs Milwaukee | 7:30 pm | SportSouth |
Sat Mar 15 | vs Denver | 7:30 pm | SportSouth/NBATV |
Mon Mar 17 | @Charlotte | 7:00 pm | SportSouth |
Tue Mar 18 | vs Toronto | 7:30 pm | SportSouth |
Whether you are pro tank or pro playoffs there is the situation you are dealing with over the next week.