The 2012 NBA Eastern Conference playoff race isn't quite as exciting as the one taking place out West, but there is still plenty of intrigue and interest at the bottom of the bracket. The Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks are all jockeying for premium position, while the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks are fighting over the final two spots.
Here's a look at the updates standings, seeding and Hollinger playoff odds in the East. You can find the remaining schedules for the Celtics, Knicks and Bucks beyond the jump.
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Eastern Conference Playoff Standings | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | PCT | GB | CONF | Hollinger Odds | |
x - Chicago Bulls | 41 | 11 | 0.788 | - | 30-7 | 100.00% |
Miami Heat | 36 | 13 | 0.735 | 3.5 | 27-7 | 100.00% |
Orlando Magic | 32 | 19 | 0.627 | 8.5 | 25-13 | 100.00% |
Philadelphia 76ers | 28 | 22 | 0.560 | 12 | 21-11 | 99.30% |
Indiana Pacers | 30 | 20 | 0.600 | 10 | 20-16 | 98.70% |
Atlanta Hawks | 30 | 22 | 0.577 | 11 | 23-13 | 99.50% |
Boston Celtics | 28 | 22 | 0.560 | 12 | 22-12 | 88.10% |
New York Knicks | 26 | 25 | 0.510 | 14.5 | 19-15 | 77.10% |
Milwaukee Bucks | 23 | 27 | 0.460 | 17 | 17-18 | 37.10% |
All three play their next game on the road -- Bucks at Cavaliers, Knicks at Hawks and Celtics at Timberwolves -- and then they each return home to host the Grizzlies, Cavaliers and Heat, respectively. Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings and company still have one more head-to-head game against both Boston and New York, so that could help, but they do not control their own destiny in the playoff race and need to play more consistent basketball down the stretch if they hope to catch either team.
If you'd like a look at the remaining schedules for all three teams, we've got you covered:
Remaining Schedules | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Milwaukee Bucks | New York Knicks | Boston Celtics | |||
@ Cleveland | @ Atlanta | @ Minnesota | |||
Memphis | Cleveland | Miami | |||
@ Washington | @ Indiana | San Antonio | |||
Cleveland | @ Orlando | @ Chicago | |||
Charlotte | Chicago | @ Indiana | |||
Portland | @ Chicago | Philadelphia | |||
Oklahoma City | @ Milwaukee | @ Miami | |||
New York | Washington | Atlanta | |||
@ Detroit | Miami | @ Toronto | |||
Indiana | Boston | @ New Jersey | |||
@ Washington | @ New Jersey | @ Charlotte | |||
@ Indiana | @ Cleveland | @ New York | |||
New Jersey | @ Atlanta | Orlando | |||
Toronto | Los Angeles Clippers | @ Atlanta | |||
Philadelphia | @ Charlotte | Miami | |||
@ Boston | Milwaukee | ||||