NBA: Which teams will earn the final three playoff spots in the East?

Charlotte Hornets (27-30)

Current Standing: 7th

Remaining Schedule Strength: 2nd 

The only team with a more difficult schedule in the Eastern Conference than the Nets to close the season is the Charlotte Hornets. Which could throw a wrench in their plans to crash the Eastern Conference playoff party. For most of the year, the Hornets have found themselves in the top 8 of the East.

However, that could change over the course of the next few weeks as their schedule gets a bit more nasty. Kemba Walker has been on a tear this season, and is posting career highs in numerous categories. But if he’s going to power the Hornets into the playoffs, he’s going to have to play even better over the next couple of months.

Losers of six of their last 10, the Hornets limped into the NBA All-Star break. And they don’t get much of a break, with games against the Warriors, Rockets and Trail Blazers on the horizon.