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Dec 10, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) reacts after an altercation with Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) (not shown) during the second half at State Farm Arena.

Updated Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament Picture

The Play-In Tournament is still wide open.
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks

After 80 games, the Eastern Conference playoff picture is finally taking shape. The Miami Heat have locked up the 1-seed, and the Play-In Tournament pool has been set. However, the seeding of the Play-In Tournament is still anybody's guess.

Two games remain in the regular season, and each of the four unlucky Play-In teams is separated by two games or less. With the help of ESPN and FiveThirtyEight, we put together the most comprehensive guide for the Play-In Tournament outlook. 

Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament Picture

Cleveland Cavaliers

Mar 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the second quarter at State Farm Arena.

Record: 43-37

Standings: 6th

ESPN Playoff Odds: 44-38 (47.5%)

FiveThirtyEight Playoff Odds: 44-38 (43%)

Remaining Games: (4/8) @ Brooklyn, (4/10) vs. Milwaukee

Scenarios: To clinch 7th seed, Cavaliers can win out or beat the Nets and Hawks lose one game.

Tie-Breakers: Hawks have tie-breaker over the Cavaliers

Brooklyn Nets

Apr 2, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) dribbles guarded by Atlanta Hawks guard Kevin Huerter (3) during the first half at State Farm Arena.

Record: 42-38

Standings: 8th (1 game behind Cavaliers)

ESPN Playoff Odds: 43- 39 (75%)

FiveThirtyEight Playoff Odds: 44-38 (80%)

Remaining Games: (4/8) vs. Cleveland, (4/10) vs. Indiana

Scenarios: To clinch 7th seed, must win both remaining games

Tie-Breakers: Nets have the tie-breaker over the Hawks, but the Hornets have the tie-breaker over the Nets.

Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young motivates Clint Capela.

Record: 42-38

Standings: 9th (1 game behind Cavaliers)

ESPN Playoff Odds: 43-49 (55.6%)

FiveThirtyEight Playoff Odds: 43-49 (61%)

Remaining Games: (4/8) @ Miami, (4/10) @ Houston

Scenarios: To clinch 7th seed, must win both remaining games, plus Nets beat Cavs and lose to Pacers, plus Cavs lose both remaining games. 

Tie-Breakers: Hawks have tie-breaker over the Cavaliers, but the Nets have tie-breaker over the Hawks.

Charlotte Hornets

Mar 16, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Montrezl Harrell (8) dunks against the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter at the Spectrum Center.

Record: 41-39

Standings: 10th (2 games behind Cavaliers)

ESPN Playoff Odds: 42-40 (21.8%)

FiveThirtyEight Playoff Odds: 42-40 (16%)

Remaining Games: (4/8) @ Chicago, (4/10) vs. Washington

Scenarios: To clinch 7th seed, Hornets must win out, and Cavs lose out, and Hawks lose out, and Nets lose to Pacers.

Tie-Breakers: Hornets have the tie-breaker over the Nets, but the Hawks have the tie-breaker over the Hornets.

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