As long as nothing unusual happens, the top five spots, in no specific order, seem to be determined for the 2004 postseason in the East. The sixth, seventh and eighth spots are up for grabs, as six squads are battling to earn a berth in the playoffs.
The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors makeup the remaining contestants. The interesting thing about this is that the three final clubs that will qualify for a spot in this year’s playoffs most likely will have a record under .500.
The last Eastern Conference squad to play in the playoffs with a record below .500 was the Boston Celtics. In 1994-95, Boston finished with a record of 35-47 and was seeded No. 8 in the East. The Celtics fell in four games to the Orlando Magic in the first round.
As of Tuesday, New York (26-35), would be the sixth seed, while Toronto (25-34) would be No. 7 and Boston (26-36) would be in the final spot. Miami (25-35), Philadelphia (24-36) and Cleveland (24-36) are all within striking distance.
To put this race in perspective, Cleveland and Philadelphia are just 1 1/2 games behind the Knicks for the sixth spot.
New York is struggling, as it has lost six straight and is scheduled to play 11 of its final 21 games (19 versus Eastern Conference teams) on the road. Six of those contests are against the teams that the Knicks are battling with for the final three berths in the postseason.
April could prove to be a tough month for the Knicks, who will be on the road for three straight against New Jersey, Philadelphia and Indiana from April 2-6. New York will return home to host the Bulls on the 7th before going back out on the road to face Washington and New Orleans from the April 10-12. The Knicks will then wrap up their season at home against the Cavaliers on the 14th.
Toronto has lost nine in a row and will play 12 of its final 23 games at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors are currently without guards Alvin Williams (knee) and Jalen Rose (hand) and All-Star forward Vince Carter (ankle), all of whom are on the injured list. Eighteen of Toronto’s games are against the East, as four are versus New York and Cleveland and one is at Miami.
Boston has won three in a row and will split its final 20 games evenly between the FleetCenter and the road. Thirteen of the Celtics contests are against Eastern Conference foes, as four are versus the clubs that they are battling with for the final spots in the postseason. Boston is scheduled to meet Atlanta (19-40) three times and Washington (19-39) twice.
Miami has a favorable schedule, as it will play 13 of its final 22 games in front of its home crowd. The Heat, who will play 19 of their final contests against Eastern Conference teams, play both Cleveland and Boston twice (once at home and once on the road), and will host the 76ers and Raptors.
The 76ers will be at home for 12 of their final 22 games. A key stretch for Philadelphia will be from March 14-20, when they play four straight on the road against the Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans and Miami. The Sixers will also face Chicago (18-42) twice, and Atlanta, Orlando (17-45), and Washington once.
The Cavs are at home for 12 of their last 22 games (17 against Eastern Conference teams) this season. Cleveland’s final four contests of the season consist of a home-and-home set with Miami on April 9-10, a home game against the Bucks on April 12 and a visit to Madison Square Garden for a showdown with the Knicks.
Who is going on vacation and who is going to the postseason?
Toronto has too many injuries and appears ready to go on vacation, while Philadelphia is dealing with internal problems surrounding its coach Chris Ford and its superstar Allen Iverson.
Three spots remain and there are four teams left. New York has come a long way to blow it now. Expect head coach Lenny Wilkens and star guard Stephon Marbury to get the Knicks into the playoffs. The Celtics will also be able to collect enough wins to get themselves into the postseason.
The eighth and final berth is between Cleveland and Miami. The crucial home- and- home set between the two clubs in early-April could determine the final spot in the East. I will give the edge to Cleveland because it would be great to see rookie sensation LeBron James play in the playoffs in his first season in the NBA.
By earning their way into the postseason, the Knicks, Celtics and Cavaliers would most likely earn a first-round matchup with either Indiana, New Jersey or Detroit.
Indiana Pacers 
