We’ve hit the home stretch and there’s still a lot to be determined. The Charlotte Hornets only have three games left, but there is still a lot of room to move either up or down between now and the end of those three games. The Hornets are currently 8th in the Eastern Conference, but just two games separate 6th from 10th, and a lot of teams within that range have games against one another. Let’s break it down.

5. Atlanta Hawks (45-33)

Remaining opponents: NYK, @CLE, CLE, @MIA

The Hawks have run away with the 5 seed. They had that 11 game winning streak against mostly tanking fodder to climb into the picture, but they’ve proven that they’re more than just schedule wins. They’ve notched wins against the Celtics and Pistons. They’re technically not out of reach, and they do have a tough schedule to close out, but it’s hard to see them collapsing enough to get caught.

6. Philadelphia 76ers (43-35)

Remaining opponents: @SA, @HOU, IND, MIL

The 76ers got healthy and unsuspended just in time for the playoff push, and they’ve pushed themselves back into the six seed and the automatic berth that comes with it. They’ve been riding a pattern of two wins then a loss for a little over three weeks now, which would suggest they’re due for two wins after getting smacked by the Pistons. However, their two upcoming games are on the road against the Spurs and Rockets. It’ll be tough to keep that trend alive. They do get to close the season with two cupcakes, but they could be in a perilous position if they lose both of those Texas games.

7. Toronto Raptors (43-35)

Remaining opponents: MIA, MIA, @NYK, BRK

The Raptors have been limping for a while now, and the rest of the play-in group has cuaght up with them. They’re 9-12 in their last 21 games, and they’re wholly unpredictable from one night to the next. They have a home win over Detroit and they beat the Magic by 52. They also lost at home to the Kings in a DeMar DeRozan/Precious Achiuwa double revenge game. From a Hornets persecutive, they’re in a weird spot. If they beat the Heat, that makes the 8 seed almost a foregone conclusion for the Hornets regardless of how their final games play out. On the other hand, the Raptors getting swept by the Heat gives the Hornets a path to climb, though it also keeps the Heat hot on their heels. I guess we root for a split?

8. Charlotte Hornets (43-36)

Remaining opponents: @BOS, DET, @NYK

The Hornets boast the distinction of having the hardest remaining schedule in the NBA. They play the top three teams in the Eastern Conference to close out the season and warmp them up for potential playoff match-ups. Working in their favor is the space that’s opened up between those three teams. The Pistons have already clinched the one seed, so they’ll probably be dialing back minutes if not outright resting some of their key players in preparation for the playoffs. Depending on how the next few games pan out, the Knicks may also be locked into the 3 seed by the time the season finale rolls around. Otherwise, the Hornets are going to have to fight to earn their spot in the playoffs. Two wins should just about guarantee them at least a spot in the 7-8 section of the play-in, and one win might be enough with some help.

9. Orlando Magic (42-36)

Remaining opponents: DET, MIN, @CHI, @BOS

The Magic have been able to pull themselves off the mat a little bit after a six game losing streak dropped them down the standings. They’re 4-2 in their last six, but three of those wins are against non-playoff teams, and two of them were nailbiters. The two losses came to the Raptors and Hawks and were by a combined 82 points. There is no easy win for this team, and the Bulls look like the only one of their remaining opponents that are most likely a win. They may get some reprieve from Boston having the two seed locked up before the regular season finale, but they’re still probably going to need to get a win over the Pistons or Timberwolves to pass the Hornets. That’s a tall task given how they’ve been playing.

10. Miami Heat (41-37)

Remaining opponents: @TOR, @TOR, @WAS, ATL

The Heat have decided to stop playing Heat culture defense just in time for the playoff push. Over the last ten games, they have the second worst defensive rating in the NBA, just a tick better than the Kings. They had an unlikely late comeback win over the 76ers and a good win against a cold shooting Cavs team, but they’ve dropped every other game to a team trying to win, and one to the Pacers. They have a pair of pivotal games in Toronto, like we mentioned above. Those are going to have a huge impact on the final form of these standings. I’m personally rooting for Toronto to win both of those games to end any threat from the Heat for the 8 seed, but a split could be enough as well.