NBA: The Big Question Each Eastern Conference Playoff Team Must Answer

Mar 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shoots the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) defends during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shoots the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) defends during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shoots the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) defends during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014-15 NBA season is winding down and we’re starting to get a clearer idea of what the Eastern Conference playoff picture is going to look like. The Atlanta Hawks have all but wrapped up the first seed, the battle for the last two playoff spots includes about five teams and both the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards are in bad funks at the wrong time of year.

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Based on what we’ve seen through about 75 percent of the regular season, each team’s big question is starting to become more obvious. Now it’s time we took a look at how each Eastern team in the playoff hunt needs to answer that question.

That big question that each team faces is basically a look at what the overarching goal or end result of this season is. For the contenders, it’s a question about what they need to do to win it all. For the bottom feeders on the playoff ladder, it’s a more prolonged look at the direction the franchise is heading.

We’ll be covering the Western Conference tomorrow, but for now it’s time to take a look at nine teams — the eight currently occupying a playoff spot and one honorable mention for the team in ninth — in the East and examine the most important question each one faces.

Sorry Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets fans, your team just narrowly missed the cut. Let’s start with our honorable mention, the Charlotte Hornets.

Next: Charlotte Hornets