The Washington Wizards have locked down a postseason berth and now the New York Knicks are hoping they are next. In order to do that, they must avoid their first series sweep against the Wizards. Carmelo Anthony has reached the playoffs in each of his first 10 seasons in the NBA, but is at risk of seeing that streak end if the Knicks cannot move ahead of the Atlanta Hawks in the standings.
The Wizards earned a postseason berth after beating the Boston Celtics on Wednesday at home. The clinched spot is the first for John Wall who was drafted back in 2010. He is currently in the midst of his best season, averaging 19.8 points per game and pushing the Wizards through the year.
The Knicks are on a hot streak and hope that momentum can carry them in the remaining few games this season. New York has won the last 12 of 15 games, fresh off defeating the postseason-bound Brooklyn Nets after shooting 60.0 percent overall. New York now has a six-game stretch to finish out the season, all against teams that have clinched playoff spots.
The Wizards are the first team in that stretch. The team is shooting 62.5 percent, while averaging 100.9 points per game. Wall got his first win at Madison Square Garden this season after the Wizards defeated the knicks on a Bradley Beal layup and a missed 3-point shot from Anthony. One more win and Washington sweeps a team for the first time since 1984.
"It's everything I've been waiting for," Wall said, via ESPN.com, "as being a point guard, and trying to learn how to lead in this league, and become a better player. But also I think the fans deserve it. I mean, the tough times they've been through, booing us and us feeling bad when we're not playing good or playing the right way."
