Oct 19, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Washington Wizards power forward Trevor Booker (35) reacts during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Rupp Arena. New Orleans defeated Washington 93-89. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Despite gaining a 16 point advantage against the Charlotte Bobcats last night, the Washington Wizards squandered another big lead yet again, and subsequently botched a chance to secure a postseason spot for the first time since 2008. Of course, the Wizards are a virtual lock to make the NBA Playoffs and unless something unforeseen happens, they’ll still likely finish sixth in the Eastern Conference. Nevertheless, the Wizards aren’t playing like a team headed to the postseason for the first time in half a decade and even though they’re saying all the right things off the floor, they aren’t producing like a playoff team during the most important part of the season.

Instead of taking advantage of road games against teams below .500, the Wizards aren’t playing with the same intensity as they did against a team like the Indiana Pacers just this past week. Washington has dropped way too many big leads this season, and that seems to be uncharacteristic of a team that has so desperately wanted to make the postseason this year. Randy Wittman echoed the same thing following last night’s loss in Charlotte, stating:.

At this point of the year, that’s what I’m really disappointed about. You’re fighting for playoff positioning. You’re fighting to get into the playoffs, and you take shortcuts and don’t do the things you have to do to play winning basketball

Washington has to do a better job of taking care of games they’re supposed to win, and even though it may seem like things haven’t been going their way as of late, they still have a chance to get back on track before the postseason begins.

The Wizards will meet the Boston Celtics tomorrow night in Washington, followed by the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. The Wizards will probably clinch a playoff spot this week, but they have a chance to gain some momentum with the postseason being right around the corner. The Celtics have given Washington some trouble this season, while the Knicks and Bulls are trying to move up in the standings. Needless to say, all three games are important and Washington has to find a way to win down the stretch.



