The Wizards weren't expecting to have to work so hard to finish off their regular season with a playoff berth.

Heading into Friday night's game at Chicago, the Wizards are alone in fifth place but they hold a tenuous one-game lead over Milwaukee and Indiana and a two-game advantage over Chicago and Philadelphia with four games to play.

"No matter what else is happening, Chicago is a make-or-break game," Jamison said. "You can say there are four games to go, but you don't want to tie and be in a position where it comes down to that last game and you either need to win or you need help from somebody else. We've got to win to keep that cushion."