Eastern Conference Down The Stretch

Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Because the Sixers have no chance at winning the Atlantic Division at this point, I’ll cover the remaining schedule for the three teams “fighting” for 7th in the Eastern Conference:

Eastern Conference Standings 7-9

Last Week’s Results

76ers

Knicks

Bucks

Upcoming Schedule

76ers

Knicks

Bucks

Injuries

New York: Jeremy Lin (knee, out for regular season and likely playoffs), Amar’e Stoudemire (back, returning Friday night)

Philadelphia: none

Milwaukee: Ersan Ilyasova (thigh, return likely)

Notes

With Milwaukee’s losses to Indiana and Washington, the Sixers’ magic number sits at two: any combination of two wins by the Sixers and two losses from the Bucks guarantees a playoff spot for the Sixers, with one head-to-head match up left to go. Milwaukee has 2 very winnable games before the Sixers game, home against New Jersey and Toronto. The Sixers have games against Indiana and New Jersey, again, before the showdown. The Sixers-Bucks game next Wednesday could be the decisive game if the Sixers can’t win two other games; Boston will likely rest the squad in the Milwaukee finale.

New York has clinched a playoff spot, holding the tiebreaker over the Bucks and Sixers. They will likely use the rest of the year to integrate Amar’e into the lineup.