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Hawks’ loss to Knicks, Magic’s win over Pistons sets up wild NBA playoff scenario
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- Hawks’ loss to Knicks, Magic’s win over Pistons sets up wild NBA playoff scenario
Hawks' loss to Knicks, Magic's win over Pistons sets up wild NBA playoff scenario appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
On Monday evening, the Atlanta Hawks saw their four-game winning streak come to an end with a narrow home loss to the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena. Initially, it appeared as though Atlanta had tied the game with a miraculous heave from CJ McCollum , but replay review showed that the shot came just after the red lights illuminated the backboard.
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The Hawks are still 1.5 games over the Toronto Raptors for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, but the loss did put more pressure on Atlanta to win at least a couple more games down the stretch in order to avoid the play-in tournament.
Recently, NBA insider John Hollinger of The Athletic highlighted a wild scenario that is still technically on the table for the rest of the season.
"Still a very viable scenario where five different East teams are 43-37 entering Friday! Also one where four teams are 44-36 and the Hawks are 45-35, or two are 45-35 and three are 46-36! Fun times!" reported Hollinger on Bluesky.
This is still technically a possibility due to the Orlando Magic 's win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday, which gave Orlando more of a cushion for the ninth seed over the Miami Heat .
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Currently, the Hawks sit at 45-34 on the season, and they have two straight games coming up against the Cleveland Cavaliers in what could be a potential first-round playoff preview.
Meanwhile, the Raptors sit in sixth at 43-35, while the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets are tied for sixth at 43-36, two games behind Atlanta.
Essentially, the Hawks' magic number to avoid the play-in tournament and clinch a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference is at two, meaning any combination of a win and a loss by the Hornets will be enough to get them into the East's top six.
The Hawks will next take the floor on Wednesday evening on the road vs the Cavaliers.
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