The Brooklyn Nets control their destiny, but their margin for error is slim.
With seven games remaining in the regular season, the Nets (43-32) hold a one-game lead over the Chicago Bulls (42-33) for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race, which would give them homecourt advantage in the first round.
Given the standings, it looks like the Nets and Bulls are going to meet in Round 1.
A look at the remaining schedule for both teams and the Atlanta Hawks (42-35), who are currently in the No. 6 spot in the East:
Nets: vs. Charlotte; vs. Philadelphia; @ Boston; @ Indiana; @ Toronto; vs. Washington; vs. Detroit
Bulls: @ Detroit; vs. Toronto; vs. Knicks; @ Toronto; @ Miami; @ Orlando; vs. Washington
Hawks: @ San Antonio; @ Philadelphia; vs. Milwaukee; vs. Toronto; @ Knicks
The Nets would’ve been in a much better position had they beaten the Hawks and Bulls in their last two home games. Brooklyn is just 2-5 in its last seven games at Barclays Center.
The Nets face the Charlotte Bobcats (18-58) at home on Saturday night.
“Yeah, it’s a major concern,” Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo said when asked about his team’s struggles against better competition. “We’re not playing well enough right now to be as successful as we want to be in the playoffs. We gotta play better.”
• The Nets reported no injuries.