NBA Standings Update: Knicks And Bucks In Tight Race For 8th Seed

The 2012 NBA Standings show that the 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, Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks are all fighting for position, while the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics battle for the Atlantic Division title and the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks scrap for the eighth seed.

It's a two-team race for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race, folks. Sure the Knicks are mangled and will be without Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin for the final weeks of the regular season and the Bucks have been above .500 for only four days this season -- they were 2-1 on Friday Dec. 30 after beating the Washington Wizards and then lost in their next game on Jan. 2 against the Denver Nuggets -- but it's still a race! Boston has played well since moving Kevin Garnett to center, and now it appears they have officially moved out of the eighth seed conversation and are in a competition with the Philadelphia 76ers for the Atlantic Division title.

On Tuesday night, New York blew a 17-point lead and lost to the Indiana Pacers, LeBron closed out thegame in a win over the Sixers, and the Detroit Pistons surprised the Orlando Magic with an upset victory.

NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Standings Updated For 4/4

If the Bucks make the playoffs, things are bound to become extremely close down the stretch and tie-breaker scenarios could pop up. Here is a rundown of the relevant tie-breaker rules (via NBA.com):