The Wizards might be the worst team ever

That scoring margin is incredible.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

Vesuvius from Posillipo by Moonlight; Joseph Wright of Derby; 1774

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Scores

Mavericks 137, Wizards 101 — The Wizards may never win again. They are -337 through 20 games. For comparison, the Pistons were also 2-18 at this point last season and were just -179. As you may recall, the Pistons tied the NBA’s all-time longest losing streak record. And in scoring margin, the Wizards are about twice as bad. In 18 losses, only one has been a single-digit margin (a 9-point loss to the Spurs on November 13). Their next four games: Nuggets, Grizzlies, Cavaliers, Celtics. Losses in those would get the losing streak to 20. Then, in two weeks, there’s a visit from the Charlotte Hornets. High stakes for Wizardian historicity.

Nuggets 114, Cavaliers 126 — I’m convinced that the Cavaliers are a top-3 team in the league (with Boston and OKC). Not sure what more anyone would need to see. The Nuggets lost Nikola Jokic’s minutes on the floor despite his gaudy stats (27-20-11, holy smokes). Denver’s shooting remains a problem. Cleveland went 10 deep. Denver went eight … and got basically nothing from the two young reserves (Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson).

The Nuggets are tied with the Lakers in the standings. In the play-in tournament.