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NBA Standings: Wizards gain ground on Raptors, Bulls over the weekend

In today's Wake-Up Call, we take a look at where the Wizards stand in the playoff chase, Will Bynum's future in Washington and a look at who probably designed John Wall's shoe logo.

By Jake Whitacre
Apr 4, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) hugs Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) after the game at FedExForum. Washington defeated Memphis 92-83.
Apr 4, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) hugs Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) after the game at FedExForum. Washington defeated Memphis 92-83.
Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

1. Wizards still have outside shot at moving up in the standings.

If you're still holding out hope the Wizards can claim homecourt advantage in their first round playoff series, it was a good weekend for you. The Wizards took care of business in Memphis, Toronto lost at home to the Celtics, and the Bulls lost on Sunday to the Cavaliers.

Thanks to the best-possible outcome for the weekend, the Wizards are now just one game back of the Raptors in the standings and two games behind Chicago with five games left on the schedule. Here's how the remaining schedules look for each team:

Wizards

Raptors

Bulls
@ 76ers (4/8) @ Hornets (4/8) @ Magic (4/8)
@ Nets (4/10) @ Magic (4/10) @ Heat (4/9)
vs. Hawks (4/12) @ Heat (4/11) vs. 76ers (4/11)
@ Pacers (4/14) @ Celtics (4/14) @ Nets (4/13)
@ Cavaliers (4/15) vs. Hornets (4/15) vs. Hawks (4/15)

The Raptors probably have the hardest schedule left among the three teams, as they play four games against team still in the playoff race and have two back-to-backs. But, the Wizards may have the most difficult game of any on the schedule, as they head to Indiana to take on the hard-charging Pacers, who just welcomed Paul George back on Sunday.

Keep in mind, as division champs, the Raptors can't fall below the fourth seed, even if Chicago and Washington both finish with better records. However, the Wizards can still get homecourt advantage as the fifth seed if they finish with a better record than Toronto. For a full explainer on how all the playoff tiebreakers work, click here.

UPDATE: According to ESPN's projections, there's a 62 percent chance we see Wizards-Raptors in Round 1.

2. Will Bynum sticking around

Will Bynum still isn't 100 percent after injuring his hamstring in China last month, but it looks like the Wizards are going to stick with him the rest of the way, according to CSN Washington's J. Michael.

Because of a lingering left hamstring strain, Will Bynum hasn't been able to do much for the Wizards after signing a 10-day contract, but they're going to retain him for the rest of the season anyway when signs another deal Monday, CSNwashington.com has confirmed with persons with knowledge of the situation.

Given Bynum's situation and how rotations tighten in the playoffs, it's hard to see Bynum getting much playing time once the playoffs begin. So what's the point in keeping him? Well first of all, you never know how an injury could shake things up. If Ramon Sessions gets hurt, it's comforting to know Will Bynum is available to keep the ship afloat. And even if they can't get much use out of Bynum this season, signing him when they did gives them the inroad to signing him to a deal next season, if they're so inclined.

3. Did Dwight Schrute design John Wall's Adidas logo?

The evidence seems pretty clear to us:

4. Guess who said it?

"I just always say, ‘Play hard, play hard, play hard.’ And then the aggression will come,"

If you guessed Randy Wittman, you'd be wrong. The quote came from Otto Porter, who is certainly playing with more swagger as of late. Jorge Castillo has a good breakdown on Porter's surge here.

5. Wizards at the White House Easter Egg Roll

Several Wizards made an appearance on Monday's Easter Egg Roll at the White House. It's nice to see Garrett Temple dribbling a basketball again. Hopefully that means he'll be ready for a return soon.

And here's Paul Pierce, trying to cross up a little girl, as if he hasn't done enough to hurt elementary school aged girls in the past month: