heading into Monday night, the Chicago Bulls had the eighth best record in the Eastern Conference. At 35-33, they were even with the Detroit Pistons (36-34) and 1.5 games ahead of the the Washington Wizards (34-35). But a 109-102 win over the Sacramento Kings didn't change the standings -- the Pistons and Wizards picked up wins, too.
With less than 15 games remaining, these three teams -- separated by 1.5 games -- are locked into what should be a fascinating playoff race for the final spot in the East. (And don't forget about the seventh spot. The Indiana Pacers, who beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, lead the Bulls and Pistons by only a half-game at 37-33.)
Monday didn't change the standings, but it set the stage for each team's remaining schedule.
The Wizards picked up the most impressive win, shooting lights out against usually staunch defense of the Atlanta Hawks in a 117-102 win. John Wall had 27 points and 14 assists as the Wizards shot 51 percent from the field and 52 percent from deep against a Hawks team that gives up 98.9 points per 100 possessions, second in the NBA to the San Antonio Spurs.
Wall and the Wizards have won five in a row. Of their remaining 12 games, seven of them come on the road, five come against teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today -- including one against the Golden State Warriors and one against the Pistons.
Those Pistons, meanwhile, nearly gave up a game on Monday. But thanks to a tip-in from Andre Drummond with 2.1 seconds left, they were able to keep pace with a 92-91 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Drummond had 14 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Pistons, who came back from a 17-point deficit to pick up their third win in a row. The Pistons have 11 games remaining. Eight will come against playoff teams, seven will be at home and they'll get a chance to face the Bulls and Wizards once each.
The Bulls weren't phenomenal on Monday, using a fourth-quarter rally to beat a Kings squad that can't find its identity. Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 18 points and Pau Gasol had 14 points and 14 rebounds as the Bulls won their third straight.
Of the Bulls' final 12 games, six are against playoff teams and five are at home. They will also take on the Pistons and Pacers once apiece.
The Pacers aren't in the clear quite yet, either, even with an easy win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. They have to face only four playoff teams in their remaining 12 games, seven of which come at home.
With at least 11 games left, each team controls its own destiny. The Bulls and Wizards have playoff experience -- the Pacers do, too, but this team is very new compared to the squads that used to challenge LeBron James in the playoffs. The Pistons face what looks like the toughest schedule and have never been in the playoffs.
Each team, however, is trending in the right direction and making the Eastern Conference respectable.
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