With just eleven games remaining things are tightening in the Eastern Conference standings as the Atlanta Hawks try to secure home court advantage for the first-round of the NBA playoffs.
Thanks to the skidding Orlando Magic, the Hawks moved into a tie for fifth place after the Magic lost their fifth game in a row on Thursday. Both the Hawks and the Magic are 32-23 on the season with Atlanta holding the tie-breaker. Atlanta is just a game and a half behind third place Indiana which is something that Larry Drew is making sure that his team is well aware of after hanging a board with the standings on them in the players' locker room.
Still Atlanta has to be most concerned with taking care of its own business. With games tonight against Detroit and tomorrow against Charlotte, the Hawks can ill-afford a slip up against teams that are well out of playoff contention.
"Our focus, our mentality has to be [about] what we do. One thing we are talking about is we have to get into that playoff mode. As we wind down the season we don't take possessions off, irregardless of opponent, with the mindset of just being consistent on both ends of the floor."
For more on this game Hawks fans should check out Peachtree Hoops and Pistons fans should visit Detroit Bad Boys. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.