NBA Playoff Race: Handicapping The Eastern Conference

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Nov 4, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives against the New Orleans Pelicans during a the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

With the NBA All-Star break in the rearview mirror, the NBA playoff race will officially take center stage. We examine the Eastern Conference 

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With the NBA All-Star break coming to end, the NBA playoff race will start to heat up. In the Eastern Conference there appear to be six locks for the postseason and six teams fighting for the final two spots.

The top-6 teams are at least 7.5 games up on the 7th seed while the six teams fighting are separated by only two games. Here’s a look at the race:

Locks

1. Atlanta Hawks 43-11

2. Toronto Raptors 36-17

3. Chicago Bulls 34-20

4. Washington Wizards 33-21

5. Cleveland Cavaliers 33-22

6. Milwaukee Bucks 30-23

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