Per CBS Sports Playoff Picture
East Nos. 7-9: Bobcats, Knicks, Hawks
Charlotte's win and New York's loss means the Bobcats can clinch a playoff spot for the second time in franchise history Saturday. They're on back to back, and the Cavs will likely be mad about getting blown out by Atlanta Friday, though. They're a virtual lock, however. Their magic number for the seveth seed is three.
As for the 8th seed, we'd like to thank the
Cavaliers for stopping by. You've been terrific guests, and we have some lovely parting gifts for you. Oh, you already have a lottery pick? Three? Well then. This is awkward. The Cavs weren't just beaten Friday vs. the melted Hawks, they got blown out. Their tragic number (for elimination) is three. That'll petty much do it.
Atlanta got a monster win in that game, something to make them feel like a good basketball team. Combine that with the Knicks' loss and they're back in the 8th seed alone, two games up in the loss column for conference tiebreaker.
That loss to Washington was
bad for the Knicks. At home, vs. conference opponent, when Atlanta won. Realistically, Atlanta's going to get tiebreaker by conference record. If we factor that as likely, then the magic number for Atlanta is just five, with Detroit and Milwaukee left on the Hawks' schedule, and a game against the Bobcats in which the Cats could rest starters.
New York's margin for error isn't zero, but it's paper thin.