NBA Playoff Picture: Can bottom four seeds cause chaos in East?

The Washington Wizards are perhaps the biggest sleeper to come out of the East this year. As the no. 5 seed last year, they proved they weren’t messing around as they surprised the Bulls beating them 4-1 in the opening round. This year, they are returning all their key players and look hungrier than ever to prove themselves as a legitimate force in the East.

Although their first round match up against the slightly favored Toronto Raptors will be tough. John Wall will be the deciding factor in what will be a battle in the first round. He has carried the Wizards all season. But he will be going up against All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, who put up a triple-double against the Wizards earlier this season.

With the Wizards at full strength, which has been a rarity this season, I can’t see them losing this series. Don’t get me wrong, it will be close. However, Bradley Beal is back and if Marcin Gortat can contain Joan Valanciunas under the basket, I like to think the Wizards have too much fire power for the Raptors to handle.

PREDICTION

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