This is a huge weekend for the Hawks - probably the most important of the season, if you ask me. Yes, the Hawks could lose any of the three games they have and still have a shot at a playoff berth. But at some point, this team has to start moving forward and stop assuming their competition will continue to slide backwards (even though they continue to oblige).

If you have read this blog in the past, you know one of my goals for this team this season was to win the season series with the Bobcats, something the team had failed to accomplish the last three years. The Hawks won the first two at Philips, but then gave away a chance to clinch it with a loss in Charlotte right before the All-Star break. Tonight Atlanta and Charlotte finish their season series, and for those that think it should be an easy win for the Hawks, think again. The Bobcats have won three straight, and a win tonight would match the franchise record for consecutive W's. This will be a motivated Charlotte team, no doubt.

Having said that, it is still a game the Hawks can and should win, provided they play to their capacity. With tomorrow night's Miami double-dip, there is a chance for some real movement in the standings this weekend. Three wins added to our ledger would look pretty nice come Monday morning.

It's time to start moving forward, and tonight is as good a night as any to get it going.

As is usual for a Friday night with a full schedule in the NBA, there are a bunch of games worth paying attention to tonight in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Washington at Toronto
Desired Outcome: Toronto can help us out with a win here. I still think the Wizards have a bigger slide ahead of them if Arenas and Butler remain out, but I give them credit for persevering so far. Toronto has slid a bit of late, but recovered with a nice 25-point win at Miami on Wednesday.
Probable Outcome: Raptors breeze at home

Seattle at Philadelphia
Desired Outcome: The Sonics have been easy pickings for most teams this season, and Philly is a bit on a roll. This one doesn't look good, but maybe Kevin Durant and company will get hot and surprise everyone with a win.
Probable Outcome: Philly wins their eighth-straight at home

Chicago at Boston
Desired Outcome: The Celtics just clinched a playoff berth with their win over the Pistons on Wednesday, and it'd be nice to see them avoid a momentary slip in focus. With Kevin Garnett in charge, I don't think that will be much of an issue for them. Chicago got a win last night against the Cavs, but should be tired on the second night of a back-to-back.
Probable Outcome: Celtics keep it rollin.

New Jersey at New Orleans
Desired Outcome: The Hornets beat the Hawks pretty handily on Wednesday behind a barrage of three-pointers. It would be great to see them continue that kind of hot shooting as they take on the team most directly in front of the Hawks in the Eastern Conference race. The Nets got a nice win in Devin Harris' debut but have struggled since, losing three straight. A win by the Hawks plus a loss here for New Jersey puts the Hawks back into a tie for 8th.
Probable Outcome: Hornets win easy in the Big Easy.