When things are going wrong for you, it can be difficult to find optimism at that time. People tend to dwell on the negative and blind themselves into thinking

I think this team could definitely be a playoff team. I think we had a stretch recently where we were competing against some of the playoff teams in some games, where we won some games and lost some others.

Khris Middleton believes the Washington Wizards can become a playoff team, highlighting growth in their young core and his leadership role.

The Indiana Pacers demolished the Washington Wizards on Thursday night, scoring the most points by a team since 2008 in the 162-109 laugher. And it could have been worse had the visitors not eventually took some mercy on their hosts in the final minute by slowing the pace and melting some clock.

Up by 56, the Pacers started taking 24-second violations with more than a minute to go, taking three in a row.