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NBA Standings: Wizards likely to face Raptors in playoffs after Toronto loss

In today's Wake-Up Call, we take a look at how Tuesday's action affected the playoff picture, how average the Wizards are, and how to maximize the Wizards' rotations in the playoffs.

By Jake Whitacre
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Raptors fall to fourth in East after loss to Celtics

If you thought we could get to the playoffs without another upset to throw off potential playoff matchups, you'd be wrong. The Raptors lost in Boston 95-93 thanks to Jae Crowder's game winning shot. The loss gives the Bulls a one game lead as we enter the final day of the NBA regular season.

The only way Toronto can move back up into the three seed would be for the Bulls to lose to the Hawks and for the Raptors to beat the Hornets. If both things happen, the Raptors would take the third seed back thanks to holding the first tiebreaker, since they're a division champion.

2. The Wizards are the most average NBA playoff team there is

Tom Ziller used some charts to take a look at how the NBA's playoff teams operate. This chart plotting out where team's rank in terms of pace and efficiency is especially striking:

NBA charts

Look at those Wizards right in the middle of the chart. They couldn't be more middle-of-the-pack if they tried.

3. Why the Wizards should always have at least three starters on the floor during the playoffs

4. Nick Young on the trading block?

Regardless of how you feel about Nick Young and his time in Washington, you have to admit he wound up in a perfect situation with the Lakers. It's hard to ask for much more than getting to play on the team you grew up rooting for and getting the chance to shoot as many times as your heart desires. Unfortunately, it looks like the honeymoon may be over for Young and the Lakers.

Silver Screen and Roll has the details:

The Los Angeles Lakers are wrapping up their season, and it sounds like change is already in the wind. The Lakers will look at trading Nick Young through the summer, according to a report from Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. Young's season has been tumultuous, publicly clashing with head coach Byron Scott while seeing a huge dip in his productivity.

Young re-signed with the Lakers on a four-year, $21.5 million contract with a team option on the final year last July. He had a strong season under Mike D'Antoni, but has struggled under Scott. Nick averaged 13.7 points, one assist and one turnover per game while shooting 36 percent from the field. Knee injuries hampered him throughout the season, limiting him to just 42 games played. He also missed the start of the season with a thumb injury.