Who is behind 8-ball?

Final East seed faces tough task

In the Eastern Conference, it seems to have come down to a four-team race for the eighth playoff spot. The likely reward is a first-round date with the Celtics.

The Atlanta Hawks, at 30-39, currently own the eighth spot with a one-game lead over New Jersey, a 1 1/2-game lead on Indiana, and a three-game lead on Chicago.

"Realistically, we're just trying to make it in," said Hawks guard Joe Johnson, an ex-Celtic, to reporters in Atlanta. "I don't know that playing Boston is the best way to reward yourself with making the playoffs. But it would be a great challenge. We've taken some shots from them this year.

"They've added some great veteran players in Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown. So anybody that deals with them in the playoffs will have to bring it to compete with them."

The Hawks have not been to the postseason since 1999, and while facing the Celtics would be daunting, forward Josh Smith would love the opportunity to go for the upset - and to gain his first postseason experience in the process.

"I hear Boston's beautiful in the spring," said Smith. "Seriously, I can't think of a better place to spend some time next month than Boston."

The Celtics, likewise, may be curious to know whom they will face in the first round, but they are not thinking about it all that much.

"It's stupid to, because it's between 11 teams," said coach Doc Rivers. "You do look. You can't predict. It can be anybody.

"We're just going to keep playing, and I'm hoping the last six games we have a clue who it's going to be. But it can be anybody."

When asked if he is watching the race for the eighth spot, Rajon Rondo said, "Not really. There are so many. I just worry about our team and getting better as a team. We're still learning each other and our tendencies."

Posey inactive

James Posey was inactive for last night's 95-90 loss to Philadelphia. An NBA source said Posey's significant other went into labor last night. Rivers said Posey isn't expected to be at practice today, but the coach expects him back for tomorrow's game against the Suns . . . The Celtics hosted 300 members of the US Armed Services and their families at the game. "They've been in the war far too long and we have to keep supporting them, doing whatever we can to bring a smile to their faces," Rivers said. Wymon J. Anderson of the Navy hit a blindfolded 3-pointer and free throw during a timeout in the third quarter yesterday to win $5,000 of Lasik Vision correction surgery.

A strong week

Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after helping the Celtics go 3-1 on the road, sweeping San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas in Texas for the first time since 1987. Garnett averaged 20.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2 steals. He has been Player of the Week 17 times, including twice this season . . . After rarely having a chance to practice of late, Rivers plans on holding workouts today, Thursday, and Saturday. . . . On his bruised lower back, Tony Allen said, "I'm fighting through it. It feels better than last time."

One who knows

Sixers guard Willie Green, who has overcome major knee surgery, had advice for Allen on recovering from the knee surgery that caused him to miss the last 48 games of last season. "He's getting better and better," said Green. "I told him that in the second half of the season he was really going to start seeing improvement in terms of his ability to jump better and not think about it. I've been watching film on those guys and I can tell his knee is getting stronger." . . . Rivers was in the stands Sunday at Raleigh, N.C., when Georgetown was upset by Davidson in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Rivers's son, Jeremiah, is a sophomore guard for Georgetown. "What happens when you think you're going to win and you lose is you wake up in the morning and have nothing to do," Rivers said. "They had plans. He was like, 'There's no practice today.' That's what happens in our league and on the college level as well. Empty. That's how they're feeling."