Hawks, Raptors tied for fifth as East playoff picture intensifies

The East race for fifth is coming down to the wire, and it’s got a little bit of everything.

The Hawks and Raptors are tied at 45-35 with two games left, with Toronto holding the tiebreaker after its win over Miami. That’s significant, because the Cavaliers are all but locked into the fourth seed and will face whoever finishes fifth.

Same goes for the Knicks at No. 3. They’ll get the sixth seed. So now it’s basically about who lands where between Atlanta and Toronto.

The Cavs just beat the Hawks on Wednesday and head to Atlanta for a rematch Friday. Cleveland may not show much, though, with its spot secured. If the regulars play, it could be in limited minutes.

Toronto’s path is pretty clear. The Raptors visit the Knicks on Friday on the second night of a back-to-back, then return home to face the Nets on Sunday. That finale could loom large.

Atlanta’s road is a little trickier. The Hawks get the Cavs on Friday, then close at Miami against a Heat team that won’t be in a giving mood.

There’s also a bit of gamesmanship here. The Hawks would likely prefer to stay in fifth and face Cleveland, meaning they’ll be rooting for a Knicks win over Toronto on Friday. At least, we sort of think that’s what they want.

One more win clinches a playoff spot for the Raptors, and the Hawks, ensuring that each will avoid the play-in. (Yes, the Magic are still alive in all this. At least, we sort of think.)

Either way, the Cavs are watching. The Knicks are watching. And the bracket is still very much in play.