Monday, March 17th's games..
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The Pacers, who sit in the 11th spot, beat the Knicks
110-98 moving them within three games of the final playoff spot. The Pacers were spearheaded by 36 points from Mike Dunleavy Jr. The Knicks in the meanwhile rest in the 14th spot falling 10 games back of the now 8th place Hawks. In the battle of the Bad Dad Bad GMs Bird comes out on top again.
Next Game: Knicks Vs Grizzlies (3/21); Pacers Vs Bobcats (3/19)
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At this point the Cavaliers and Magic are more focused on securing their playoff position than moving up as both have a ways between them and their competition. Even so the Cavs had a chance to cut the Magic's lead to five games, but instead they lost
104-90 to the Magic.
Next Game: Cavaliers Vs Pistons (3/19); Magic Vs Wizards (3/19)
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A game with heavy playoff implications. The Hawks fighting to wrestle the 8th seed from the Nets, and the Wizards looking at a chance to move up to 5th for another potential playoff matchup with the Cavaliers. The result was a
105-96. With the win the Hawks take a half game lead over New Jersey, while the Wizards fall to only a half game lead over the Sixers for 6th place. The possible good news for the Wizards is news of an upcoming return of Gilbert Arenas, but bad news is he'll have to find his way back into the offense and playing shape.
Next Game: Hawks @ Nets (3/19); Wizards @ Magic (3/19)
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It wasn't so long ago that the Bulls had a head of steam and were looking a lot like the 8th seed. Somewhere along the way they've found themselves plummeting back to Earth to continue one of the more disappointing follow up seasons in recent NBA history. They faced the Hornets who were on the second half of a back to back, after a Sunday thrashing by Detroit, only to lose
108-97.
Next Game: Chicago Vs Nets (3/18)
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While mathematically alive for the playoffs the Bobcats, for all intents and purposes, can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. Still in it's infancy the Bobcats haven't gotten out of the expansion doldrums as they haven't experienced anything more than mere glimmers of promise. Injuries, and shortcomings in talent and coaching have hamstrung this team. As they pushed for the playoffs, four games behind the Nets at the beginning of the night, only to lose
98-80 to Memphis. Playoff teams don't drop games like that.
Next Game: Bobcats @ Pacers (3/19)
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How important is Chris Bosh to the Toronto Raptors? Apparently very. Bosh has yet to play a game in March a month which has seen the Raps drop seven of nine. The downside didn't stop as they dropped the game
96-79 in Salt Lake City. Now they sit in a precarious position only holding a game over the seventh place Sixers.
Next Game: Raptors Vs Heat (3/19)
Playoff Standings..
2.)Pistons (48-18) +15.5
3.)Magic (45-24) +11
4.)Cavaliers (38-30) +4.5
5.)Raptors (34-33) +1
6.)Wizards (33-33) +.5
7.)76ers (33-34) --
8.)Hawks (29-38) -4
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Nets (28-38) -4.5
Bulls (26-40) -6.5
Pacers (26-41) -7
Bobcats (24-43) -9
Bucks (23-43) -9.5
Knicks (19-48) -14