As expected, the Washington Wizards have struggled in the Orlando bubble.
Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans, Washington’s top two scorers, didn’t join the team in the bubble. Without a good chunk of their offense, the Wizards haven’t won yet, losing to the Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers.
But for them to make sure their playoff hopes aren’t jeopardized, they’ll need to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. The Wizards and the Sixers are set to play at 4 p.m. ET.
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Wizards would be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to Philly and if the Nets and Orlando Magic win their games. The Nets are playing the Boston Celtics at 9 p.m. ET, and the Magic are playing the Toronto Raptors at 8 p.m. ET.
Per NBA:
Possible WED scenarios:
MIL clinches best record in East with TOR loss
TOR clinches division with win & a BOS loss
BKN clinches a playoff spot with win & a WAS loss
ORL clinches a playoff spot with win & a WAS loss
WAS is eliminated with a loss AND with wins by BKN & ORL— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) August 5, 2020
Rookie forward Rui Hachimura had a good showing during the Wizards’ first seeding game. Hachimura scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds and shot 53.3% from the field as Washington lost to the Suns.
The Wizards are the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, and they are 7.5 games behind the Orlando Magic. For the play-in tournament to ensue, the Wizards need to be four or fewer games behind the eighth seed.
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