Giannis Return Hurts Hawks' Playoff, Draft Hopes

0:00For the NBA, it's March 2nd. Here's what's happening. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an update. The Atlanta Hawks are on a roll with four straight wins, bringing their record to 31 and 31. They're climbing in the Eastern Conference playoff race, closing gaps on the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. But the Hawks are also eyeing the draft lottery, where they hold the better unprotected first-round pick between the Norman's Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks. The Pelicans have the sixth best odds for the top pick, while the Bucks sit at 10th. Milwaukee has hung tough without Giannis, on Tato, Cole O, and Bo, sideline for over five weeks with the calf strain, but they've stayed competitive enough to keep pace. Now the big news, and Tato, Tato, own Bo is set to return tonight against the Boston Celtics. That boosts the Bucks just as the Hawks hit an easier stretch of their schedule. This return hurts Atlanta on two fronts.

1:00It strengthens Milwaukee in the playoff push, and dims the Hawks hopes for a higher draft pick from them. The team space off twice more this season, starting Wednesday, and the Bucks already hold the tiebreaker edge. Atlanta trails Philadelphia by three games for six place, and sits one and a half games behind Orlando and Miami for the seventh and eight spots. With Giannis back, those Bucks Hawks games could decide a lot for both playoff odds and draft positioning. C in N is brought to you by our sponsor link in the description. Some travel miles to find peace. I just climb into bed and listen.