The Utah Jazz may be the first team in the NBA to clinch a playoff birth this season, but they aren’t the hottest team in the NBA. That would be the new York Knicks, who have won nine of their last ten games. Right after that, there’s the Washington Wizards, who have won ten of their last twelve games, a hot streak that has catapulted them into the Eastern Conference’s final play-in spot.
The Washington Wizards — fresh off of their longest winning streak since 2001 — are having their best month of the season. Through their first 15 games in April, the Wizards have gone 10-5. Even if they lose the final two games of the month and finish 10-7, it’ll be their best month this season by winning percentage.
The Washington Wizards are finally winning. But how? And will it matter?
This is the Washington Wizards team that fans have been clamoring for all season. But will it be too little too late? The Wizards do own the final play-in spot…for now. But their lead is not insurmountable. The Wizards are 1.0 game ahead of the Chicago Bulls and 1.5 ahead of the Toronto Raptors. Both the Wizards and Bulls have 11 games remaining. The Raptors have 10.
However, if the Wizards keep up their winning ways, they may be more worried about catching the Indiana Pacers (9th) or Charlotte Hornets (8th) than getting caught from behind.
So what’s the secret to the new success? Here are five reasons why the Wizards are suddenly winning.