Division title: can it be done?

You have to apply the order of operations.

1) Determine the three division winners
2) Pick the best team from the other Playoff teams.
3) Seed these four teams 1-4 based on record. In case of a tie, apply 2 team tie breaks. The division winners automatically win a tie break over the team picked in step 2.
4) Seed teams 5-8 based on record, applying 2 or multiple team tie breaks as needed.

In your example the division winners are Warriors, Blazers, and Rockets, and the Clippers would be the team selected in step 2.

If the Rockets and Clippers wound up tied, the Rockets would automatically win the tie break due to winning the Southwest division. The same goes for a tie between the Blazers and the Clippers. The Blazers win the two team tie break over the Rockets due to winning the season series 2-1.

If the Clippers had a better record, they'd be the 2 or 3 seed depending on the Blazers.

(they would lose this on the fourth tie break criteria, record against Playoff opponents otherwise).

 

<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Games&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Con&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Overall&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magic&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Over&nbsp;&nbsp;</B>
<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Team&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W/L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L10&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Left&nbsp;&nbsp; TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conf&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;TieBreak&nbsp;&nbsp;Number &nbsp;Diff&nbsp;&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;Diff</B>
&nbsp;1&nbsp;<STRIKE>Warriors</STRIKE>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;63-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;38-9&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scrubbed</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;2&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;53-24&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-6&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;31-17
&nbsp;3&nbsp;Grizzlies&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;52-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8-7&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;33-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;4&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;50-27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;30-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;5&nbsp;Clippers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;52-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;33-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;6&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;51-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;1H,1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-7&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;28-19&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;7&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;46-31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4-6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-9&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;25-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bridled</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;8&nbsp;OKC&nbsp;Thieves&nbsp;&nbsp;42-35&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;22-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dislocated</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;9&nbsp;Pelicans&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;41-35&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-6&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;25-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Plucked</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
10&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;39-38&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;21-27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eclipsed</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
11&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;35-42&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;20-27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Silenced</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
12&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;28-49&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;17-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dusted</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

* Indicates the Tie Break is final

<B>Clinched the #6 seed</B>

Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on <B>4/6</B>.

Usually championship Monday is a dark day in the NBA, but due to a snowstorm earlier in the season, we had the short-handed Blazers falling 106-96 to the Nyets. Eastern Conference player of the week Robin Lopez schooled his brother with a team high 32, while Damian Lilard scored 36 but notched only 2 assists in the loss. The Blazers lose a Magic Number.

On tap Tuesday:

The Pelicans host the Warriors in a game that will affect the race for #8. The Clippers get a creampuff by hosting the Lakers.

The big game of the night is the Spurs playing in OKC. Will Pop rest some of his guys for this game or in Houston? Hopefully it goes to double overtime.

This game could also have implications for tie break scenarios with the Spurs as l wrote about earlier.

 

Are the Blazers going to rest for the remainder of the season? I don't see them holding on to home court, but they also can't go lower than the fourth seed because they will win their division. I doubt they win more than 2 of their 5 games.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>How tight is West (again, still)? Rockets 4-1 since clinching playoff spot, could fall from 2nd to 6th seed if don't beat Spurs this week.</p>&mdash; Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/585489489730109440">April 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If Rockets split games with Spurs and Memphis beats Pels, Jazz, Memphis would have the the tie-breaker vs. Rockets for SW Division title</p>&mdash; Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/585492078693613568">April 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>One more: If Rockets sweep Spurs and Pels, would have tie-breaker vs. Memphis for division. With 5 games left, Rockets up 1 on Memphis.</p>&mdash; Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/585492608979460096">April 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

reminds me of what happened in 09. We were practically a lock for the 2nd seed . Hopefully history doesn't repeat itself (in the RS)

 

"Grizzlies' Tony Allen to miss at least another week with hamstring sprain"
http://www.commercialappeal.com/spo...t-another-week-with-hamstring-sprain_58764168

So Grizzlies are missing their elite defender for the remainder of the regular season, most likely...

Wed, Apr 8vsNew Orleans-L
Fri, Apr 10 @Utah-L (They're good lately)
Sat, Apr 11@Los Angeles-W (We need Grizzlies to lay one on the Clippers to sweep them for the season. Hope Tony Allen is back)
Mon, Apr 13 @Golden State-L
Wed, Apr 15vsIndiana-W

 

The Final Five

@ Spurs
vs. Spurs
vs. Pelicans
@ Hornets
vs. Jazz


5-0: we get the 2nd seed.
4-1: we get the 2nd seed unless MEM wins out AND our one loss is in the division.
3-2 or 2-3: anything is possible from be the 2nd seed to falling to 6th seed.
1-4 or 0-5: almost guaranteed the 6th seed. (Already clinched a better record than Mavs, so we can't be 7th seed.)

These 5 games will define this REGULAR season. Will Harden lock up MVP? Will Rockets be rolling come playoff time? or will they tailspin like the last few years down the stretch?

 

This is when Dwight should ramp it up give him more minutes and head into the playoffs on a role.

 

The west is a nut grinder.

DD

 

That's what Nowitzki said.

 

LeBron seconded
Amen said the Red Rocket

 

If we don't end up with 2nd seed, Curry wins MVP. Fact.

 

:grin::grin::grin::grin::grin::grin:

 

The Rockets practically have to win out to clinch that 2nd spot, you have to know the Spurs have an eye on that spot big time. Todays game against the Spurs is a playoff game IMO.

 

The next 3 games are play-off style games. Depending on the standings the last 2 could be important games that have lots of energy too. I'd rather be in the 2nd spot with this remaining schedule than the 8th, where every expert said we'd be.

 

We probably have to go 4-1 to win the division. Memphis is gonna lose at least one more game given their remaining schedule. But we can't count on the Spurs or Clippers to help us out apparently.

 

They'll have to split with the Spurs though IMO and that will be their one loss hopefully.

 

Is there a guaranteed way to maneuver into 5th seed so we face the Blazers? Aldridge is hurting, Batum has been down all year, they lost Matthews etc. Blazers are locked into 4th.

 

I'd rather not face the Warriors in the second round. Dallas is ideal. We then (hopefully) play the Grizzlies in the second round while hoping San Antonio (after beating Portland) takes on Golden State (or Pelicans if they shock the world).

 

Memphis has a tough road trip remaining. You wonder though if GSW will play tough or just coast on that 2nd to last game. Jazz against Memphis(Road) and Us(Home) could have a huge impact on the race.

Ideal bracket is,

Rd.1 - Mavs - Major flaws that we can exploit but not an easy out by any means.
Rd.2 - Grizz - Slow pace, grind it out team, but we can score enough to beat them. They have trouble scoring, especially perimeter scoring.
Rd.3 - Spurs/GSW - Spurs are our best matchup but both tough. It's the WCF you have to beat the best to win a championship.