Updated Eastern Conference Playoff Picture: Hawks Still Have Tight Grip On No. 10 Spot Thanks to Brooklyn

Atlanta has a 4.5-game lead on the Brooklyn Nets with 14 games remaining

There are only 14 games left in the Atlanta Hawks season and as poorly as this season has gone, the Hawks still have an excellent chance to end up in the play-in tournament. Most of that is due to the bottom of the Eastern Conference being particularly bad, but unless something disastrous happens (which is always possible), Atlanta should be in the No. 10 spot for the NBA Play-In Tournament and facing the Chicago Bulls. 

When Atlanta lost back-to-back games vs the Nets in late February and early March, it looked like a real possibility that Brooklyn might catch the Hawks for the last play-in spot. They had just captured the tiebreaker by winning the season series and Atlanta had just lost Trae Young to an injury for the next four weeks. Brooklyn has been terrible for most of the month of March and while the Hawks have floundered in the past few games, including a beatdown at the hands of the Lakers on Monday night. According to ESPN's BPI, Atlanta has a 96% chance to make the play-in tournament and Brooklyn has just a 4% chance to make it. 

The Eastern Conference play-in race is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing playoff races in the NBA over the next few weeks. 

Mar 18, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) dunks the ball over Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The one thing you can say about the play-in spots is that the Hawks are likely to finish 10th. They have a good lead on Brooklyn but are 3.5 games back of the Chicago Bulls for 9th and the Bulls have the tiebreaker. 

The Bulls are in a similar spot as Atlanta. They have a 3.5-game lead on the Hawks but are 3.5 games back of Miami for the No. 8 spot. 

The No. 7 and No. 8 spot will likely come down to the 76ers, Pacers, and Heat, who are all within a half-game or full game of each other. The Knicks have won four in a row and have distanced themselves from those other three teams, despite being injured still. The Magic have already clinched at least a play-in spot and are 3.5 games behind Milwaukee for the No. 2 spot, with two games against the Bucks remaining. It is not crazy to think Orlando could end up being the No. 2 seed, though it is unlikely. 

Milwaukee, Cleveland, New York, and Orlando are all fighting for that No. 2 spot. Boston is far ahead in the Eastern Conference and is the heavy favorite to come out and make the Finals. 

Here is the current Eastern Conference playoff picture:

1. Boston Celtics: 54-14

2. Milwaukee Bucks: 44-24 (10 GB)

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: 43-25 (11 GB)

4. New York Knicks: 41-27 (13 GB)

5. Orlando Magic: 41-28 (13.5 GB)

6. Philadelphia 76ers: 38-30 (16 GB)

7. Indiana Pacers: 38-31 (16.5 GB)

8. Miami Heat: 37-31 (17 GB)

9. Chicago Bulls: 34-35 (20.5 GB)

10. Atlanta Hawks: 30-38 (24 GB)