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Which teams are the Orlando Magic battling for the 8th seed?

By Joe Buckley

Jan 9, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) and Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) compete for a loose ball during the second half at Amway Center. The Washington Wizards won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) and Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) compete for a loose ball during the second half at Amway Center. The Washington Wizards won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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John Wall, Washington Wizards
Mar 12, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) motions in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Wizards 116-100. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Wizards (30-35) (10th spot) (2 games ahead of the Magic)

The Washington Wizards have simply had an underwhelming season.

They are probably the East’s biggest disappointment this year. Last year they made the second round and had aspirations for the conference finals this year. They have not occupied a playoff spot all season.

What’s against them

Surprisingly, there is no real reason for this downturn.

They have had some mild injuries but no real reason for this collapse. Washington has not taken to its new identity.

The team’s pace is up, but the team’s cohesion is down and the offense and defense have both suffered. It was a massive miscalculation by the Wizards and coach Randy Wittman to change the team’s personality so much after success last year.

What’s going for them

John Wall is still a beast, and the Wizards have talent. A lot of it.

The addition of Markieff Morris adds another scoring threat to be left wide open after Wall slices through the defense. The Wizards have had the Magic’s number all year, so any hope of a tiebreaker is long gone.

Can the Magic pass them?

The tiebreaker situation is annoying, but the Wizards have already shown their inability to get it done this year. The pressure and coaching turmoil could be enough to tip them over and allow the Magic to sail on by.

At any rate, here they are. Languishing behind the Orlando Magic for much of the year, they have now managed to jump ahead.

Next: Out of sync