Wizards on the brink of hosting a playoff series for the first time since 1979

The Wizards have had a historic season and they are about to complete numerous accomplishments this franchise has not seen in decades. But there is one that hasn’t been discussed a lot which will play a vital role for the Wizards in their first round playoff series.

The Wizards only need one more win to clinch home court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1978-79 season, when only 12 teams competed in the playoffs. As of Tuesday morning, the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, and Milwaukee Bucks are all tied for the 5th seed, eight games behind Washington. The Wizards have won the season series against each of those teams. So all they need is one more win to lock up a top-four seed and guarantee they play the first game of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at home.

Since the 1978-79 season, the Wizards have made the playoffs 14 times and have never finished higher than a 5th seed. Out of those 14 times, the Wizards have only made it out of the first round four times.

Given their disparity in their home (29-10) and road (16-18) record this year, it has to be comforting to know the Wizards are very close to locking up home court advantage this season for at least the first round, regardless of the opponent.