Magic Number for the Rockets against West Playoff Contenders

It's not just free agents and trades. It's also the draft. Oden and Durant go #1 and #2 to West teams. Three of the the top 5 rookies are Al Thorton (Clippers), Scola, and Landry. The best young point guards are Deron Williams and Chris Paul, both in the West.

Unfortunately the best GM's are in the West (Spurs, Sonics, Blazers, Rockets?). Raptors pulled a coup getting Colangelo, but it seems like the West executives always pluck the gems from the draft while their East couterparts pick the horse apples.

 

<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;Games&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Con&nbsp;&nbsp;Overall&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magic&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B>
<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Team&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W/L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Left&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conf&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;TieBreak&nbsp;&nbsp;Number Diff</B>

&nbsp;1&nbsp;&nbsp;Hornets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-22&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;10-5&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;31-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;2&nbsp;&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;50-23&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-6&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;27-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;3&nbsp;&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-24&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;30-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;4&nbsp;&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;48-25&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;28-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;5&nbsp;&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8-7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;27-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;6&nbsp;&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;48-24&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;25-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;7&nbsp;&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-27&nbsp;&nbsp;1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-6&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;27-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;8&nbsp;&nbsp;Warriors&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;44-27&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;24-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;9&nbsp;&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;44-28&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;25-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
10&nbsp;&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;38-35&nbsp;&nbsp;3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;23-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;Extinguished</B>

* Indicates that the Tie Break is final and cannot be changed due to the outcomes of upcoming games. The Magic Numbers are calculated on an assumption that we will lose the Tie Break unless it's already been clinched. If we clinch a Tie Break, that will drop the Magic Number 1 point.

<B>Clinched #9 Seed</B>

Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on <B>March 28</B>.

All of the top 6 teams in the West (except the Rockets) played Friday night. How did our Magic Numbers fare? Not too poorly, considering how three of the opponents were the dregs of the NBA (Grizzlies, Clippers, Wolves).

The Celtics avenged their loss last week in New Orleans by stomping on the Hornets. The Hornet’s Magic Number drops 1. Wow, Lakers drop a second straight game to a losing team, this time the Grizzlies despite Kobe’s 52. Their Magic Number drops 1 as well.

The Suns halted their 2-game losing streak by beating the 76ers. Spurs beat up the Wolves, and the Jazz smacked the hapless Clippers.

We’ve dropped to the fifth spot (for today), but we still control our destiny over every team but the Hornets. A win on Sunday moves us back into the #2 spot with a bit of breathing room.

On tap for Saturday: Suns at Nets, Warriors at Nuggets

 

<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;Games&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Con&nbsp;&nbsp;Overall&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magic&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B>
<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Team&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W/L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Left&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conf&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;TieBreak&nbsp;&nbsp;Number Diff</B>

&nbsp;1&nbsp;&nbsp;Hornets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-22&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;10-5&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;31-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;2&nbsp;&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;50-23&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-6&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;27-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;3&nbsp;&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-24&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;30-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;4&nbsp;&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;48-25&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;28-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;5&nbsp;&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8-7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;27-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;6&nbsp;&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-24&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;25-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;7&nbsp;&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-27&nbsp;&nbsp;1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-6&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;27-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;8&nbsp;&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-28&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;26-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;9&nbsp;&nbsp;Warriors&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;44-28&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;24-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
10&nbsp;&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;38-36&nbsp;&nbsp;3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;23-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;Extinguished</B>

* Indicates that the Tie Break is final and cannot be changed due to the outcomes of upcoming games. The Magic Numbers are calculated on an assumption that we will lose the Tie Break unless it's already been clinched. If we clinch a Tie Break, that will drop the Magic Number 1 point.

<B>Clinched #9 Seed</B>

Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on <B>March 29</B>.

The Suns beat the Nets, tying the Lakers for the Pacific division lead. The Lakers have the Tie Break.

The Nuggets outslugged the Warriors in a shootout over the last playoff spot. The Warrior loss drops their Magic Number 1, but it also drops them into the #9 seed.

The Warriors, Mavericks, and Nuggets have 3 more games against one another this season as they battle for the #7 and #8 Seeds with the loser being left out of the Playoffs.

The remaining games are:
3/30 Mavs @ Warriors
4/02 Warriors @ Mavs
4/10 Nuggets @ Warriors

Denver won the Tie Break over Dallas (2-1 Head to Head)
Denver leads Golden State 2-1 with a 1 game lead in Conference Record
Dallas leads Golden State 2-0 with a 3 game lead in Conference Record

It’ll be interesting to see which of these teams the Rockets clinch over first. I’m very intrigued who gets the #7 and #8 seeds in case we wind up #1 or #2.

We have a HUGE game at San Antonio Sunday. The Tie Breaker is at stake. If we win, we take the Head to Head 3-1, get the Tie Break, move back up to the #2 seed (for at least a day), and we knock the Spur’s Magic Number down 3 (1 for the Rocket win, 1 for the Spur loss, 1 for taking the Tie Break). If the Spurs win, they get the Tie Break due to a better Division Record, and we move down to the #6 seed. It will be a <B>lot</B> easier for us to claim the #2 seed if we go a game up on the Spurs with the Tie Break (effectively a 2 game lead) with 9 to play.

Also on tap for Sunday: Jazz at Wolves, Hornets at Raptors, Mavs at Warriors (mentioned above), Wizards at Lakers

 

<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;Games&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Con&nbsp;&nbsp;Overall&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magic&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B>
<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Team&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W/L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Left&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conf&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;TieBreak&nbsp;&nbsp;Number Diff</B>

&nbsp;1&nbsp;&nbsp;Hornets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;50-22&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;10-5&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;31-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;2&nbsp;&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;51-23&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;10-6&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;28-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;3&nbsp;&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;50-24&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;30-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;4&nbsp;&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;48-26&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;28-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;5&nbsp;&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-24&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;25-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;6&nbsp;&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-24&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8-8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;27-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;7&nbsp;&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-28&nbsp;&nbsp;1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-6&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;27-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;8&nbsp;&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-28&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;26-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;9&nbsp;&nbsp;Warriors&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-28&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;25-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
10&nbsp;&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;38-36&nbsp;&nbsp;3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;23-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;Extinguished</B>

* Indicates that the Tie Break is final and cannot be changed due to the outcomes of upcoming games. The Magic Numbers are calculated on an assumption that we will lose the Tie Break unless it's already been clinched. If we clinch a Tie Break, that will drop the Magic Number 1 point.

<B>Clinched #9 Seed</B>

Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on <B>March 30</B>.

I’ve given up trying to figure out this Playoff race. The Northwest, Southwest, and Pacific division crowns are all up for grabs. There’s a threeway tie for the #7 seed. It’s like the standings are written on an Etch-a-Sketch, and the Basketball Gods shake it every night…

Well, that was a brutal loss this morning. That loss makes it pretty difficult to pass up the Spurs or Hornets. I just don’t see us knocking down those Magic Numbers with only 9 remaining to play. That means we’re pretty much locked into the #5 or #6 seed. I’d much prefer the #5 seed and home court over the Northwest Division winner (presumably the Jazz) than being on the road at the Lakers, Suns, Hornets, or Spurs with the #6 seed. We need to beat out either the Suns or Lakers to take the fifth spot, and we also need to beat out the Jazz (or the Nuggets?) so we don’t open on the road in Utah (or Denver?). The easiest path for this is to beat Utah, Denver, and Phoenix when we play them next. At least we have 5 easier games coming up. 4 of them are on the road, but we should and need to take care of business against these teams.

It’s not all bad news for the Rockets.

The Jazz dropped a game to the lowly Wolves. This reduces their Magic Number by 1. It’s not probable, but the Nuggets are only 2.5 back (2 in the loss column) from the Jazz at this point and could catch Utah. The Nuggets and Jazz play April 12 in Utah for the Tie Break. We could draw the Nuggets in the first round with the #5 seed.

The Warriors beat the Mavericks, creating a three-way tie with the Mavs, Warriors, and Nuggets. The Maverick’s Magic Number dropped 1 with their loss. I have no idea how this race shakes out. The Nuggets could miss the Playoffs or shoot all the way up to #4. Hell, the Jazz might miss the Playoffs.

The Hornets beat the Raptors, and the Lakers needed overtime to beat the Wizards and halt their 2-game losing streak to bad teams.

On tap for Monday: Wizards at Jazz, Nuggets at Suns, Mavs at Clippers

I’ll update my Race for the #1 Seed (maybe I need to rename that the Race for Home Court) post Monday.

 

Time for another look at the Race for the #1 Seed and the Western Conference Playoff race. We have 9 games left to knock our Magic Numbers down to zero. This uses the Magic Numbers after all games were played on March 30.

I’m listing our Magic Number as it stands after games were played on March 30, and I’m also including some additional Magic Numbers for teams in a race for a division crown or other playoff spot. In honor of our Magic Numbers being 666, I’m introducing Satanic Numbers. They are numbers that are very, very bad. They represent an opponent’s Magic Number to clinch over the Rockets. If that’s not heresy, I don’t know what is.

<B>The Winnables: 6 Games</B>
@Kings, @Blazers, @Sonics, @Clippers, Sonics, Clippers

We got smacked by Spurs, but it’s time once again to take care of business against the JV teams. @Kings is the only one that really scares me, although we took care of them last week. @Blazers will be without Brandon Roy and have looked weak. Clippers and Sonics, need I say more? Our next 5 games are against these teams, and hopefully we can build some momentum going into our final stretch of games.

Wining all of these games would drop all Magic Numbers by 6 and also add 6 more wins to our Conference record (Currently 27-16). I’m going with the assumption that we’ll beat these teams. That takes care of the Mavericks, Warriors, and Nuggets. It leaves the Jazz at 2, the Lakers at 3, the Suns at 4, the Spurs at 5, and the Hornets at 6.

<B>The Slugfest: 3 Games</B>
Suns, @Nuggets, @Jazz

These are the tough games left on our schedule. Coincidentally, we could be fighting for home court or seeding position with all three of these teams. They all will likely decide our Tie Break with each of these three teams. We went 2-4 in our last 6 tough games, and I think we’ll get at least 1. Although if we come out flat, we could go blown out by all three of these teams.

We still have Tie Breaks to be decided against the Jazz, Suns, Warriors, and Nuggets. Winning the Tie Break drops the Magic Number 1 point.

<B> Top Eight West Contenders</B>
<B>Warriors</B>: @Spurs, @Mavs, @Grizzlies, @Hornets, Kings, Nuggets, Clippers, @Suns, Sonics

We knock them out by winning our Winnable Games. Even if we blow an easy game or two, the Warriors have a brutal end to their schedule with 5 more Slugfest matchups of their own. I think they’ll drop at least 2 more this year.

We have tied the Head to Head at 2-2, but this really won’t come into play this year. If we’re tied with the Warriors, they would have a better Conference Record and would win the Tie Break.

The Warriors don’t have the Tie Break against Dallas or Denver, but they can make that up since they play each team once more.

Likelihood: Very High
Magic Number: 6
Satanic Number: 14
Magic Number over Nuggets: 10
Magic Number over Mavericks: 10
Prognosis: #8

<B>Mavericks</B>: @Clippers, Warriors, @Lakers, @Suns, Sonics, Jazz, @Blazers, @Sonics, Hornets

We knock them out by winning our Winnable Games. They have looked bad without Dirk, and now they face Warriors, @Lakers, @Suns. I think we’ll clinch the #8 seed over the Mavericks by the end of this weekend.

We have lost the Tie Break with the Mavericks, due to our 1-3 Head to Head record.

The Mavericks lost the Tie Break to Denver (1-2 in Head to Head) and are up 2-1 (with one to play in Dallas) over the Warriors.

Likelihood: Very High
Magic Number: 6
Satanic Number: 13
Magic Number over Nuggets: 10
Magic Number over Warriors: 10
Prognosis: #9

<B>Nuggets</B>: @Suns, Suns, Kings, @Sonics, @Clippers, @Warriors, @Jazz, Rockets, Grizzlies

We knock them out by winning our Winnable Games. They’ve been playing really well lately and have taken down some good teams, but they have a tough home and home with the Suns and also play @Warriors, @Jazz, Rockets. I think they drop at least 2 of those games, which should clinch the deal

If we win our game with them on April 19, that would clinch the Tie Break, dropping the Magic Number 3 in one game. If we lose, the Tie Break won’t matter. If we’re tied at the end of the season, the Nuggets would have a better Conference Record.

The threeway tie for #7 is interesting, but even more intriguing is the Nuggets’ chances to take the Northwest division crown from Utah. They are only 2.5 back (2 in the loss column) to the Jazz, and Denver and Utah play in Salt Lake City on April 12. The Nuggets have a decent shot of taking the Division and claiming the #4 seed.

Likelihood: Very High
Magic Number: 6
Satanic Number: 13
Magic Number over Jazz: 12
Magic Number over Mavericks: 9
Magic Number over Warriors: 10
Prognosis: #7

<B>Jazz</B>: Wizards, Spurs, @Hornets, @Mavs, Nuggets, Rockets, @Spurs

We knock them out with a combination of 2 Slugfest victories or Jazz losses. The Jazz are not good on the road (16-22) and just lost to the Wolves last night. They have 3 rough road contests coming up (@Hornets, @Mavs, @Spurs), and I think they drop at least 2 if not all three of those contests. Their remaining home schedule is pretty brutal too, and they should drop at least 1. That should do the trick.

The Rockets play the Jazz April 21, and the winner of that game gets the Tie Break. Winning that single game drops the Jazz Magic Number by 3.

As mentioned above, the Jazz can’t just coast to their expected Northwest Division crown. The Nuggets are only 2 back in the loss column, and can draw within 1 and take the Tie Break when the two teams meet in Utah on April 12. Yet another race that is going to the final week.

Likelihood: High (Very High if we win on April 21)
Magic Number: 8
Satanic Number: 11
Magic Number over Nuggets: 7
Prognosis: #4 (no home court)

<B>Lakers</B>: Blazers, Mavs, @Kings, @Blazers, @Clippers, Hornets, Spurs, Kings

We knock them out with a combination of 3 Slugfest victories or Laker losses. The Lakers did not look good this past week. They needed a terrible ref call in overtime to beat the Warriors, they lost to the Bobcats, they lost to the Grizzlies, and they barely eeked out an overtime win over the Wizards. Bynum is still out, and nobody seems to know when Gasol is coming back. Fisher apparently has a partial tear in his foot, and Kobe is still nursing a torn ligament in his finger. They don’t have the toughest gauntlet down the stretch if they were at full health, but they’re not anywhere close to full health. I think they drop at least 3 of these, and I think we win one of our Slugfest games for extra measure.

We have won the Tie Break with the Lakers, due to our 2-1 Head to Head record.

The Lakers are another team that was expected to cruise towards their division title, but their place atop the Pacific is even more precarious than the Jazz’s hold on the Northwest. The Lakers and Suns both have 24 losses, but the Lakers hold the Tie Break.

Likelihood: Likely
Magic Number: 9
Satanic Number: 9
Magic Number over Suns: 10
Prognosis: #6

<B>Suns</B>: Nuggets, @Nuggets, Wolves, Mavs, @Grizzlies, @Spurs, @Rockets, @Warriors, Blazers

We knock them out with a combination of 4 Slugfest victories or Sun losses. They wrapped up their road trip 2-2, but looked pretty ordinary against the better East competition. They still have 6 left against Contenders (4 on the road), where I think they go 3-3. I think we can win 1 of our Slug Fest games or they drop 1 additional game to clinch a better record.

We play the Suns April 11. They are currently up 2-1 in the Head to Head. A victory over them would tie us at 2 apiece. That would throw the Tie Break to the Conference Record, where they are currently 2 games back in the loss column. That should drop the Suns 3 points if we can win that game.

They are in the aforementioned battle with the Lakers for the Pacific Division crown. They have a good shot at it if the Lakers keep playing as poorly as they did this past week.

Likelihood: Fair (High if we win on April 11)
Magic Number: 10
Satanic Number: 10
Magic Number over Lakers: 10
Prognosis: #3

<B>Spurs</B>: Warriors, @Jazz, @Blazers, Suns, Sonics, @Lakers, @Kings, Jazz

We knock them out with a combination of 5 Slugfest victories or Spur losses. The Spurs are rolling right now. They’ve won 7 in a row and left a bloody Rocket corpse in their wake yesterday. They have 5 Slugfest games of their own, but I think they can go 4-1 or 3-2 in those contests. It puts us in the tough position of having to win all of our Slugfest games and\or hoping for the Spurs to drop contests late in the season. It just doesn’t look likely right now.

The Spurs have won the Tie Break over the Rockets by tying the Head to Head at 2-2. The Spurs sport a 10-6 Division record compared to our 8-8 (note to Rockets for next year: DESTROY the Grizzlies when you have the chance).

The Spurs are fighting the Hornets for the Southwest Division crown and more than likely the #1 seed. The series is tied 2-2, with the Spurs up ½ game in the Division. If the Hornets lose at Dallas on the last day of the season, the Spurs would have the Tie Break.

Likelihood: Bleak
Magic Number: 11
Satanic Number: 7
Magic Number over Hornets: 10
Prognosis: #2

<B>Hornets</B>: @Magic, @Heat, Knicks, Warriors, Jazz, @Wolves, @Lakers, @Kings, Clippers, @Mavs

We knock them out with a combination of 6 Slugfest victories or Hornet losses. I had hopes for some of their road contests last week, but they took care of all of them except the Celtics. They’ve got 5 Slugfest games (dubiously including @Magic), but they also get the tough Heat, Knicks combo. I don’t see them losing 3 more games, and I don’t see us winning all of our Slugfest games.

The Hornets are locked in a race with the Spurs for the Southwest Division crown and the likely #1 seed, which will likely go down to the final game.

Likelihood: Abysmal
Magic Number: 12
Satanic Number: 8
Magic Number over Spurs: 10
Prognosis: #1

<B>Final Tally</B>
<B>Playoffs -</B> The Playoffs are a near certainty. I think we clinch over the Mavs this weekend, but the Warriors and Nuggets are firmly in our sights. Simply winning the easy games left on our schedule will put us in and give us the #6 Seed.

<B>#1-#4 Seed -</B> This looks very unlikely at this point. The Pacific Division winner (Lakers or Suns) and the Northwest Division winner (Jazz or Nuggets) both get a top 4 seed. It looks like the Spurs and Hornets will take their fight for the Southwest division down to the wire, but it is almost certain both will finish with a better record that the Rockets.

1) Hornets\Spurs
2) Spurs\Hornets
3) Pacific Division Winner (Lakers\Suns)
4) Northwest Division Winner (Jazz\Nuggets)

The order might fluctuate and division crowns will be decided, but that’s the likely top 4.

<B>#5 Seed and Homecourt in 1st Round -</B> To get the #5 Seed we need to have a better record than the 2nd place team from the Pacific Division (Suns or Lakers). I like our chances against the Suns, and I really like our chances against the Lakers. We’ll have to wait to see who wins the Pacific to find out for sure who we have to beat out.

We’d also need to have a better record that the Northwest Division winner, who will be the likely #4 seed. Our Magic Number looks good against the Jazz and excellent against the Nuggets.

<B>Prediction -</B> It seems to be a consensus on the board, that the #5 with home court is the most advantageous position for the Rockets. Right now, I think that’s where we wind up. Probably facing the Jazz, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see us draw the Nuggets.

 

Easiest path would be home court over the Jazz in the first round. Then facing the #8 Nuggets who just took out the Hornets.

On a more realistic note, assuming the Hornets hold on to the #1 seed and we hold the #5 seed, that means we don't face the Suns, Lakers, or Spurs until the WCF.