Magic Numbers Against the Western Conference

Here are the Magic Numbers after all games played on April 15:

                               Games  H2H        Div        Con  Over  Hou Magic   Opp Magic
      Team         W/L   H2H    Left   TB   Div   TB   Conf  TB   TB    Number     Number
    1 Thunder    44-16   2-2    None    T   N/A    X  31-11   L   No*          ...Clinched
    2 Spurs      42-16   2-2    None    T  12-4    L  28-13   L   No*          ...Clinched
    3 Lakers     39-22   2-1    None    W   N/A    X  30-13   L   Yes*   12    ...Clinched
    4 Clippers   37-23   0-3    None    L   N/A    X  26-18   L   No*    12            1(-2)
    5 Grizzlies  35-25   2-2    None    T   6-8    W  23-22   L   No     10(-1)        4(-2)
    6 Mavericks  34-27   0-2      1A    L   7-5    L  24-21   L   No*     8(-1)        5(-1)
    7 Nuggets    33-27   1-2      1H    L   N/A    X  18-25   W   No      8            6(-2)
    8 Rockets    32-28                      5-6       21-22
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    9 Suns       31-29   2-2    None    Y   N/A    X  21-21   L   No      6(-1)        8(-1)
   10 Jazz       31-30   1-2    None    L   N/A    X  21-23   W   No*     5(-1)        7(-1)
   11 Blazers    28-33   3-0    None    W   N/A    X  20-23   W   Yes*    1(-1)           
   12 Wolves     25-36   1-3    None    L   N/A    X  19-26   W   No*     Mounted...
   13 Warriors   22-37   1-1      1H    T   N/A    X  15-26   W   Yes     Scalped...       
   14 Kings      20-41   2-0      1H    W   N/A    X  15-29   W   Yes*    Deposed...
   15 Hornets    18-42   1-0   1A,1H    W   1-9    W  12-31   W   Yes     Exterminated...

* Indicates the Tie Break is final
Hou Magic Number is Hou Wins + Opp Losses needed for Rockets to clinch record over that team.
Opp Magic Number is Opp Wins + Hou Losses needed for respective opponent to clinch a better record than the Rockets.

NBA Tie Break rules:
(1) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division
(2) Head-to-head W-L percentage
(3) Division W-L percentage if all tied teams are in the same division
(4) Conference W-L percentage
(5) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, own conference
(6) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, other conference
(7) Net Points, all games

Instead of talking about what has happened, just going to put out what needs to happen for the Rockets to put themselves in position to get into the playoffs.

The Rockets have 6 more games including a rematch against the Nuggets at home on Monday. The Rockets would need to win out to clinch a playoff spot if the got no help. Now that likely will not be necessary because it is impossible that either Utah or Phoenix wins out as they play each other, and they have some tough games left. Each loss by either team, will save the Rockets.

In fact, if both team were to lose every game here on out, excepting the game between each other, the Rockets would need to only win 1 game to clinch a playoff berth.

Utah has 5 more games with a magic number of 7. So they would require at least 2 more Rockets losses to get into the playoffs. Dallas at home will be tough game, but really the rest are winnable games for Utah.

Phoenix has 6 more games and need at least 2 Rockets losses to ensure a playoff berth. The reason for that is due to a tiebreaker to be determined. They have a much more difficult schedule with Oklahoma City, Flop City, and the Spurs, but all those games are at home and the Suns have been very good at home of late.

The Rockets, as doubtful as it may seem now, can still actually catch both Dallas and Denver. Winning both of their games would almost even out their Magic Numbers with both squads. Both Dallas and Denvers ending schedule are much more difficult than the Rockets with most of the Nuggets games on the road.

Right now the Rockets probably need 3 more wins to really be in the discussion to get into the playoffs, and 4 to nearly clinch it. Getting the game against Denver would great since we would then win that tiebreaker (through virtue of the conference record), in case they fall off given their ending stretch.

After that it will be 3 tough rivalry games with Dallas & NOH that probably decide our fate. The Hornets seem to always give the Rockets pause, and they have knocked off a number of good teams of late, including the Grizzlies today. Dallas is Dallas.

The Bulls Magic number to clinch best EC record is currently 4. They also play Miami on Thursday. If the Bulls win, they would essentially clinch the EC No. 1 seed over the Heat. After which time, the Heat will not have much to play for so I could easily see them rest everyone at home next Sunday. However, the rest of the upper echelon teams will still need to play hard until the last few games to clinch positions. That could work in the Rockets favor schedule-wise.


Monday’s big games for playoffs:
Nuggets @ Rockets 7:00 pm
Mavericks @ Jazz 8:00 pm
Blazers @ Suns 9:00 pm

<B>Remaining&nbsp;Schedule:
Memphis&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Houston&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dallas&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Denver&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phoenix&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Utah</B>
4.09&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LAC&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.09&nbsp;@&nbsp;POR&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.10&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SAC&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.09&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GSW&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.09&nbsp;@&nbsp;MIN&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.09&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SAS&nbsp;W
4.11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;PHO&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;UTA&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.12&nbsp;@&nbsp;GSW&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;MIN&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.11&nbsp;@&nbsp;MEM&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.11&nbsp;@&nbsp;HOU&nbsp;W
4.12&nbsp;@&nbsp;SAS&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;PHO&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.13&nbsp;@&nbsp;POR&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.13&nbsp;@&nbsp;LAL&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.13&nbsp;@&nbsp;HOU&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.13&nbsp;@&nbsp;NOH&nbsp;L
4.14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;UTA&nbsp;W&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.14&nbsp;@&nbsp;SAS&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.14&nbsp;@&nbsp;MEM&nbsp;L

4.15&nbsp;@&nbsp;NOH&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.15&nbsp;@&nbsp;DEN&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.15&nbsp;@&nbsp;LAL&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;HOU&nbsp;W&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;
4.17&nbsp;@&nbsp;MIN&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;DEN&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.16&nbsp;@&nbsp;UTA&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.16&nbsp;@&nbsp;HOU&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;POR&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;DAL&nbsp;&nbsp;
4.18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NOH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.18&nbsp;@&nbsp;DAL&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;HOU&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LAC&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;OKC&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.18&nbsp;@&nbsp;POR&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
4.20&nbsp;@&nbsp;CHA&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.19&nbsp;@&nbsp;NOH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.20&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GSW&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.21&nbsp;@&nbsp;PHO&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.19&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LAC&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ORL&nbsp;&nbsp;
4.21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;POR&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GSW&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.21&nbsp;@&nbsp;CHI&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;DEN&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

4.23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;CLE&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.22&nbsp;@&nbsp;MIA&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.26&nbsp;@&nbsp;ATL&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ORL&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.24&nbsp;@&nbsp;UTA&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.24&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;PHO
4.26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ORL&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NOH&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.25&nbsp;@&nbsp;OKC&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SAS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;POR
&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.26&nbsp;@&nbsp;MIN

 

I don't know. Both the Suns and Utah are a toss up to see who gets in. I would put Utah slightly ahead though due to playing the Suns at home, even though the Suns already own the tiebreaker.

I also think they will sneak in, or given their play of late, limp into the playoffs.

That may actually be to Rockets favor because they are a team that just does not mean expectations the past few years, whether those expectations are good or bad. When people count them out, they surprise; and when people laud their ability, they crumble.

We will have see how it plays out, but I expect either SA or OKC to have virtually clinched the WC No. 1 by Apr 22. Also do think the Bulls will beat the Heat on Thursday. With that, the Heat would be 2 losses behind OKC with 3 games left to catch OKC.

That is the Heats last home game though, so I do not believe they won't play at all, I just think they won't get extended minutes.

 

Here are the Magic Numbers after most games played on April 16 excluding Spurs vs Warriors & Thunder vs. Clippers:

&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;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Con&nbsp;&nbsp;Over&nbsp;&nbsp;Hou&nbsp;Magic&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Opp&nbsp;Magic
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Team&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W/L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Left&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conf&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Number&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Number[/B]
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1&nbsp;Thunder&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;44-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;31-11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;42-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;12-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;28-13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;39-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;30-13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4&nbsp;Clippers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;37-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;26-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5&nbsp;Grizzlies&nbsp;&nbsp;35-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;23-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3(-1)
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;34-27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;19-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3(-3)
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;34-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;24-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7(-1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3(-2)
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;32-29&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;22-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6(-2)
&nbsp;&nbsp;--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;32-29&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;21-23
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;32-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;22-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5(-2)
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;28-34&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;20-24&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stifled...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12&nbsp;Wolves&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;25-37&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;19-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mounted...
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;13&nbsp;Warriors&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;22-37&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;15-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scalped...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;14&nbsp;Kings&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;20-41&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;15-29&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deposed...
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;15&nbsp;Hornets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;19-42&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A,1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-9&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;12-31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exterminated...

* Indicates the Tie Break is final
Hou Magic Number is Hou Wins + Opp Losses needed for Rockets to clinch record over that team.
Opp Magic Number is Opp Wins + Hou Losses needed for respective opponent to clinch a better record than the Rockets.

NBA Tie Break rules:
(1) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division
(2) Head-to-head W-L percentage
(3) Division W-L percentage if all tied teams are in the same division
(4) Conference W-L percentage
(5) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, own conference
(6) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, other conference
(7) Net Points, all games

Essentially no need to wait on the last two games of the night as they will not affect playoff seeding or magic number concerning the Rockets in any way.

So basically the Worst Scenario that could have happened did. The Rockets are now effectively tied with the Suns and the Jazz. They also effectively have lost the tiebreakers with both teams. Jazz win based on head-to-head. Suns currently own the conference record tiebreaker by 2 losses. Any scenario in which the Rockets tie the Suns in conference record would result in them having a better overall record. Which is another way to say, I cannot come up with a way for the two teams to have the same overall record and conference record now.

Nuggets and Mavericks are both, most likely, out of reach now, but if the Rockets beat Dallas, they could continue the Mavericks tumble out of the playoffs. That would be definitely be nice catharsis to help knock them out of the playoffs with us.

(Sure, getting their pick at #20 would be nice to actually get a prospect, but that pick is trade chip no matter if it is in this years draft or not. Also, that pick always felt as if it were meant for a future trade sweetener.)

Back to the topic, the Rockets schedule is still easier on the surface than the Suns, Jazz,(and the Mavs), but will the Rockets actually win these games they are supposed to win?

Tanking wise, the best pick the Rockets could expect now is #12, which would require out-losing the Jazz and the Bucks. It is feasible to get the #11 pick but that would require Portland winning out, the Rockets losing out, and then winning the coin toss to get that pick.


Tuesday’s big games for playoffs:
None

Wednesday’s big games for playoffs:
Rockets @ Mavericks
Clippers @ Nuggets
Thunder @ Suns
Jazz @ Blazers

 

Here are the MIRACLE Numbers after most games played on April 18:

&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;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Con&nbsp;&nbsp;Over&nbsp;&nbsp;Hou&nbsp;MIRACLE&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Opp&nbsp;Magic
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Team&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W/L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Left&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conf&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Number&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Number
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;12-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;31-13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2&nbsp;Thunder&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;32-12&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;40-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;31-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4&nbsp;Clippers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;39-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;28-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5&nbsp;Grizzlies&nbsp;&nbsp;37-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;25-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;35-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;25-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;34-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;19-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;33-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;23-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3
&nbsp;&nbsp;--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;32-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;22-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;32-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;21-24
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;28-35&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;20-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stifled...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12&nbsp;Wolves&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;25-38&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;19-27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mounted...
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;13&nbsp;Warriors&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;22-39&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;15-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scalped...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;14&nbsp;Kings&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;20-42&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;15-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deposed...
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;15&nbsp;Hornets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;19-43&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A,1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;2-10&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;12-32&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exterminated...

* Indicates the Tie Break is final
Hou Magic Number is Hou Wins + Opp Losses needed for Rockets to clinch record over that team.
Opp Magic Number is Opp Wins + Hou Losses needed for respective opponent to clinch a better record than the Rockets.

NBA Tie Break rules:
(1) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division
(2) Head-to-head W-L percentage
(3) Division W-L percentage if all tied teams are in the same division
(4) Conference W-L percentage
(5) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, own conference
(6) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, other conference
(7) Net Points, all games

I will continue to post Miracle Numbers, because that is what they have become, until Houston is statistically eliminated.

Rockets still have a chance to get into the playoffs but they virtually have to win out now. They could possibly get in if they lose another game, but it is highly improbable.

With all these teams having the same number of losses, this has become really a 4 game race that Houston would have to be singularly ahead of the others.

Team&nbsp;&nbsp;W-L&nbsp;&nbsp;GA&nbsp;&nbsp;TBP
Uta&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-0&nbsp;&nbsp;1.5&nbsp;&nbsp;3&nbsp;
Pho&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-0&nbsp;&nbsp;1.0&nbsp;&nbsp;4
Hou&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4
TBP: Games to be played
GA: Games ahead including tiebreakers

If Houston ties with either team, they will lose out on tiebreakers. If all three were to tie, the Jazz win the tiebreaker (Hou 3-4, Utah 4-1 (1 game left), Pho 2-4 (1 game left)).

Thursday’s big games for playoffs:
Rockets @ Hornets
Clippers @ Suns

 

Here are the MIRACLE Numbers after most games played on April 19:

&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;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Con&nbsp;&nbsp;Over&nbsp;&nbsp;Hou&nbsp;MIRACLE&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Opp&nbsp;Magic
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Team&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W/L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Left&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conf&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Number&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Number
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;12-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;31-13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2&nbsp;Thunder&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;32-12&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;40-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;31-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4&nbsp;Clippers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;39-24&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;28-19&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5&nbsp;Grizzlies&nbsp;&nbsp;37-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;25-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;35-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;25-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Clinched
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;34-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;19-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;33-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;23-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2
&nbsp;&nbsp;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;33-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;23-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;32-31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;21-26
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;28-35&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;20-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stifled...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12&nbsp;Wolves&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;26-38&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;19-27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mounted...
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;13&nbsp;Warriors&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;22-39&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;15-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scalped...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;14&nbsp;Kings&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;20-42&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N/A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;15-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deposed...
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;15&nbsp;Hornets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;20-43&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;3-10&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;13-32&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exterminated...

* Indicates the Tie Break is final
Hou Magic Number is Hou Wins + Opp Losses needed for Rockets to clinch record over that team.
Opp Magic Number is Opp Wins + Hou Losses needed for respective opponent to clinch a better record than the Rockets.

NBA Tie Break rules:
(1) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division
(2) Head-to-head W-L percentage
(3) Division W-L percentage if all tied teams are in the same division
(4) Conference W-L percentage
(5) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, own conference
(6) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, other conference
(7) Net Points, all games

Rockets would have to win out now to make the playoffs. They are effectively 2 games behind both Utah and Phoenix, so they need both teams to lose at least 2 more games.

Team&nbsp;&nbsp;W-L&nbsp;&nbsp;GA&nbsp;&nbsp;TBP
Pho&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-0&nbsp;&nbsp;2.0&nbsp;&nbsp;3
Uta&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-0&nbsp;&nbsp;2.0&nbsp;&nbsp;3&nbsp;
Hou&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3
TBP: Games to be played
GA: Games ahead including tiebreakers

Saturday’s big games for playoffs:
Warriors @ Rockets
Orlando @ Jazz
Nuggets @ Suns