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NBA Playoff Picture 2011: Hawks Punch Ticket To Dance, Knicks Faltering

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It took an extra few days, but the Atlanta Hawks finally clinched a playoff spot with their win over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night at Philips Arena. Atlanta will return to the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year. And with eight games left in the season, it's looking more and more likely that the Orlando Magic will be the Hawks' first round opponent.

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While it is possible that the Hawks (42-32) can be bumped to the sixth spot, with wins over the Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers over the weekend, Atlanta maintained a 4 1/2 game lead over the suddenly surging Philadelphia 76ers. Philly (37-36) is four games behind in the loss column. However, Atlanta's schedule is somewhat favorable to the club hanging onto their spot in the standings.

Yes, the Hawks have games against the Magic, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics left, but they also play four against the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats. Philadelphia has Boston and Orlando left on the schedule. So as long as Atlanta beats those four teams and Philly falters to those two teams, Atlanta will go into the playoffs against Dwight Howard's Magic (47-26).

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Philadelphia has swarmed all over a struggling New York Knicks team that at this point may not even make the playoffs. The new Best Team Ever* has had all sorts of problems playing defense of late, the bench is not very deep and Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire have yet to find their groove together.

As a result, New York (35-38) has lost six straight and nine of their last 10 to fall into the seventh spot in the East. While it's likely they will survive and make it into the playoffs, the Knicks are indeed making it interesting.  They are just 4 1/2 games away from being out of the big dance.

The battle continues for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, which is turning into a three-team race between the Pacers (32-42), the Bobcats (30-42) and the Milwaukee Bucks (29-43). Only two games separate the three teams.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls (53-19) have given themselves a bit of separation at the top, posting a two-game edge over the Celtics (51-21) for the No. 1 seed in the East. Boston has its own battle to wage for the No. 2 spot. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have been playing fantastic basketball the past week and as a result, Miami (51-22) has moved to within a half-game of Boston.

Here are the up-to-date Eastern Conference standings as of the games completed on Sunday, March 27.

1. y-Chicago (53-19) --  2. y-Boston (51-21) 2.0  3. x-Miami (51-22) 2.5  4. x-Orlando (47-26) 6.5  5. x-Atlanta (42-32) 12.0  6. Philadelphia (37-36) 16.5  7. New York (35-38) 18.5  8. Indiana (32-42) 22.0  9. Charlotte (30-42) 23.0 10. Milwaukee (29-43) 24.0
y- Clinched Division Title  x- Clinched Playoff Spot

GB's women line-up WNBA team Atlanta Dream

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GB Basketball have announced a high-profile home friendly game for the women's team against Women's NBA team Atlanta Dream on 29 May.

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The tie, to be played in Manchester, will be the first match in Europe to involve a team from the WNBA.The announcement follows world governing body Fiba's decision to grant GB Basketball host nation places for the 2012 Olympics."It will be a huge test for our team," GB player Jo Leedham said."I think it is a fantastic opportunity for the GB team and obviously is a great moment for the WNBA to come over and play in Europe.

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"I think it is great for women's basketball, especially in the UK, and by having such a quality team in the Atlanta Dream as opponents, I feel it can only inspire many more young players in Britain."After a successful 2010 campaign the GB women's team, coached by Tom Maher, qualified for their first European Championship tournament, EuroBasket 2011.They will make their debut appearance at an Olympic Games next year.

Atlanta Dream were runners-up in last season's WNBA Finals after only their third year in the league.Atlanta Dream forward Angel McCoughtry said: "Women's basketball is truly a global game and that is something we want to continue to grow."This is an exciting way for us to tip off our season and promote the game leading up to the 2012 Olympics."The match-up is part of a collaboration between Manchester City Council, the WNBA and NBA to organise live games in the city to promote basketball in the UK.

2011 NBA Draft: Top 15 Small-School Prospects You Need to Know

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The 2011 NBA Draft is over three months away, yet many frontrunners have already shown themselves. Kyrie Irving, Perry Jones, Harrison Barnes, and Jared Sullinger lead the top players who will most likely be drafted first by those teams at the bottom of the barrel.

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We all know about the top talent, as well as playmakers from high-ranked schools, such as Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette. There are, however, many under-the-radar stars that could be drafted into the NBA, and they are usually hidden due to playing for a small school or a minor conference.

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The following are 15 players to watch in the upcoming draft that are from small schools, with a note that this will also include players from teams that are from mid-major conferences and aren't normally known as powers.

Flyers D Bartulis has left shoulder injury

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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Oskars Bartulis has been diagnosed with left shoulder instability and will undergo further testing on Thursday, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.
The team did not announce how long Bartulis will be out of action.

The injury took place in the second period of Tuesday's loss to Phoenix when Coyotes forward Scottie Upshall hit Bartulis at the side of the Flyers' net and sent him head and shoulder-first into the end boards.

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Bartulis left the game and did not return. He had sat out the prior 17 games as a healthy scratch and returned to the lineup after Sean O'Donnell was injured in Sunday's win over the New York Rangers.

The second-year defenseman is scoreless in 13 games this season.

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