Hawks Sixers Raptors Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Eastern nights settled the East pecking order. Atlanta, Philadelphia and Toronto held position with wins, while Charlotte, Orlando and Miami kept their play-in shots alive. Philly’s victory in Minnesota dented the Wolves’ Western mobility, and Minnesota remains the only West team inside the top six not yet clinched. The standings set likely matchups and left a handful of late-season games that can still tilt seeding. Merlin senses a tight chess match down the stretch. Philadelphia needs roughly a 3-2 finish to feel secure, Toronto’s path runs through Boston and New York, and Orlando’s trip to Boston could decide the 8 seed. Out West Minnesota should lock sixth, Phoenix lives on hope, and Denver could pounce for No. 3 with Luka sidelined.