Around the NBA 2/8: Celtics in sole possession of 3-seed; Potential draft pick in action


As the Celtics were protecting their home court against the Kings, the Magic beat the Hawks on a buzzer-beater, which gave Boston sole possession of the 3-seed in the East. There were four other teams in action as well on Sunday. Here are 10 things you should know:

2016 DRAFT PICK WATCH

1. The Nets (13-39) were idle last night. The Celtics own the Nets unconditional first-round draft pick. Brooklyn has the third-worst record in the NBA. As of today, the bottom of the league standings are as follows:

5. Timberwolves 16-36
4. Suns 14-38
3. Nets 13-39
2. Lakers 11-42
1. 76ers 8-43

2. The Celtics (31-22) beat the Kings last night. They are currently projected to receive the 23rd pick in the NBA draft. As of this morning, their complete list of picks include 3, 19, 23, 31, 35, 49, 52 and 57.

3. The Mavericks (29-25) were idle last night. Dallas will convey their first-round pick to the Celtics only if it falls between 8-30. If Dallas' pick falls between 1-7, the conditional 2016 pick will become a 2017 first-round pick with the same conditions. This pick would be conveyed if the season ended today as they would be projected to receive the 19th pick in the draft.

ATLANTIC DIVISION WATCH

4. Celtics beat the Kings 128-119.
5. Knicks lost to the Nuggets 101-96.

Atlantic Division Standings as of 2/8
Toronto 34-16
Boston 31-22
New York 23-31
Brooklyn 13-39
Philadelphia 8-43

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS WATCH

6. Winners: Celtics
7. Losers: Hawks and Heat

Eastern Conference Standings as of 2/8
1. Cavaliers 35-14
2. Raptors 34-16
3. Celtics 31-22
4. Hawks 30-23
5. Heat 29-23
6. Bulls 27-23
7. Pacers 27-24
8. Pistons 27-25

FORMER CELTICS

8. Rajon Rondo played 39 minutes in his return to Boston last night. He shot 5 of 10 from the field and finished with 14 points, 15 assists, 6 steals, 5 rebounds and 4 turnovers.

9. Paul Pierce played 22 minutes in the Clippers win over the Heat last night. He shot 3 of 6 from the field and finished with 7 points and 4 rebounds.

POTENTIAL DRAFT PICK UPDATES

10. Jakob Poeltl and the Utah Utes lost to Oregon last night. Poeltl played 29 minutes, shot 4 of 5 from the field, and finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds. It should be noted he was limited by foul trouble for most of the night.

WHAT'S ON TONIGHT?

Bulls @ Hornets
Kings @ Cavaliers
Lakers @ Pacers
Clippers @ 76ers
Nuggets @ Nets
Raptors @ Pistons
Magic @ Hawks

Follow Max Sandgrund on Twitter @SotoSpeakz