OKC Thunder: Analyzing stretch run schedules with view to seeding

Washington Wizards:

Word is John Wall is practicing with the team who could really use him back yesterday. Washington has lost three consecutive games and critics who didn’t recognize the Wizards need John Wall — do now.

Bradley Beal has done yeoman’s work to keep the team afloat, but they look fatigued and in need of Wall.

It will be crazy if Washington remain sixth and play Cleveland in the first round. Doubtful LeBron has faced this tough of a first round opponent since he was in his first years in the NBA. From this scribe’s perspective Washington is the dark horse to come out of the East and will be an extremely tough out, unless this stretch without Wall has worn them out.

Remaining schedule includes:

• San Antonio Spurs, Tuesday 27
• At Detroit Pistons, Thursday 29
• Charlotte Hornets, Saturday 31
• Start of road trip at Chicago Bulls, Sunday, April 1
• At Houston Rockets,  Tuesday 3
• At Cleveland Cavaliers, Thursday 5
• Atlanta Hawks, Friday 6
• Boston Celtics, Tuesday 10
• At Orlando Magic,  Wednesday 11

The Wizards have nine games remaining with four contenders to face, five road games and two back to back sets which fall brutally in their last four games. Fortunately the tougher opponent (Cavaliers/Boston) are the first games in each set.

Those games plus the Spurs and Rockets will be tough tests with hopefully Wall back to help.