Quick update in the post-road trip euphoria. Format is Team (games back in loss column, conference record, division record if divisional opponent, H2H)
1. Miami (0, 30-14, 2-0 w/ 1 remaining): Circle March 30th, which comes in the middle of a road trip against the conference's playoff teams (Bulls, Raptors). And the Warriors and Nets have visits to Miami coming up.
2. Philadelphia (2 gb, 27-17, 6-9, 2-2). Big win yesterday. But they are about to go out west, come home to face the Bucks, and have a roadie against Toronto. And Boston has clinched the division record tiebreaker.
3. Milwaukee (2 gb, 26-18, 2-1 w/ 1 remaining): Still have visits to Philly, Brooklyn, and Chicago, as well as a home matchup against the Bulls.
4. Boston (3 gb, 30-16, 9-6): Favoring the Celtics are the tiebreakers and the fact that the Celtics do control a big part of their own destiny with games coming up against Toronto, Heat, Bulls, and Bucks. Bad news is that all but Miami are on the road, and the Bulls/Bucks are back-to-back.
5. Chicago (4 gb, 27-17, 1-1 w/ 1 remaining): They did the opposite of the Celtics on their west coast swing (0-3), and are now facing 5 straight on the road. But after tonight's huge matchup against the Bucks, their remaining schedule is relatively soft aside from Miami.
6. Cleveland (6 gb, 24-19, 2-1): Big game up in Toronto on Thursday, and the Cavs have already clinched the H2H matchup at 3-0. That is followed by big game at home against the Bulls, after which they will either be destined for the play-in or fight to remain at 6.
7. Toronto (7 gb, 24-20, 8-5, 2-1 w/ 1 remaining): The team that doesn't go away had a costly loss to the Bulls, so they lose tiebreakers against both the Cavs and Bulls. They really need teams above them to lose to avoid the play-in.
8. Brooklyn (9 gb, 26-18, 9-6, 2-1): I don't see them catching Boston in the standings. But after this week's road trip in Memphis and Miami, their remaining schedule is relatively soft. That game against the Cavs may be critical for them to avoid the play-in.
9. Charlotte (10 gb, 22-22, 3-1). The other team that refuses to go away has made that 3/27 matchup against the Nets appointment viewing, as that game will decide the season series head-to-head.
10. Atlanta (11 gb, 21-23, 2-2): When this list started they were in striking distance of the Celtics. But they are now safely ensconced in the back half of the play-in.
Essentially out: Wizards, Knicks.
Officially eliminated: Pacers, Pistons, Magic.