All of these kind of prediction metrics love point differential. The Grizzlies have the 2nd worst of the playoff teams.
Wizards helped us tremendously tonight by defeating memphis tonight...making our magic number 5 to clinch the 2nd seed. Huge game tomorrow for Houston and a win would be another step closer to a division title.
Let's get this started again! Unfortunately, the numbers are much larger than they were at this stage of the season in the last years, but that's just how it goes sometimes. All the numbers are explained by ScriboErgoSum here. The tiebreakers are explained by texasred here. Games H2H Div Con Overall Magic Team W/L L10 H2H Left TB Div TB Conf TB Tiebreak Number Diff 1 Warriors 52-5 9-1 0-3 None L 30-3 L No* 49 2 Spurs 49-9 9-1 1-2 1H L 8-2 L 29-5 L No 45 3 Thunder 41-17 6-4 1-1 1H,1A T 28-6 L No 37 4 Clippers 38-20 6-4 2-1 1H W 20-14 L Yes 34 5 Grizzlies 34-23 7-3 1-2 1H L 6-5 L 19-15 L No 31 6 Mavericks 31-28 4-6 2-1 1A W 5-8 W 20-16 L Yes 26 7 Blazers 30-28 8-2 2-2 None T 23-16 L No 26 8 Rockets 29-29 4-6 6-6 21-18 9 Jazz 28-29 6-4 2-1 1H W 15-20 W Yes 25 10 Kings 24-33 4-6 2-1 1H W 12-22 W Yes 21 (-1) 11 Pelicans 23-34 5-5 2-1 1H W 4-8 W 15-22 W Yes 20 12 Nuggets 23-36 4-6 0-3 None L 12-26 W No* 18 (-1) 13 Wolves 18-40 4-6 1-0 1H,1A W 9-24 W Yes 14 14 Suns 14-44 0-10 2-0 1H W 9-27 W Yes* 9 15 Lakers 11-49 2-8 3-0 1H W 5-33 W Yes* 4 (-1) * Indicates the Tie Break is final Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on 2/26.
Games H2H Div Con Overall Magic Team W/L L10 H2H Left TB Div TB Conf TB Tiebreak Number Diff 1 Warriors 53-5 9-1 0-3 None L 31-3 L No* 49 2 Spurs 50-9 9-1 1-3 None L 9-2 L 30-5 L No* 45 3 Thunder 41-18 5-5 1-1 1H,1A T 28-7 L No 36 (-1) 4 Clippers 38-20 6-4 2-1 1H W 20-14 L Yes 34 5 Grizzlies 34-24 6-4 1-2 1H L 6-5 L 19-16 L No 30 (-1) 6 Mavericks 31-28 4-6 2-1 1A W 5-8 W 20-16 L Yes 26 7 Blazers 31-28 8-2 2-2 None T 23-16 L No 26 8 Rockets 29-30 4-6 6-7 21-19 9 Jazz 28-30 5-5 2-1 1H W 15-20 W Yes 24 (-1) 10 Kings 24-33 4-6 2-1 1H W 12-22 W Yes 21 11 Pelicans 23-35 5-5 2-1 1H W 4-8 W 15-23 W Yes 19 (-1) 12 Nuggets 23-36 4-6 0-3 None L 12-26 W No* 18 13 Wolves 19-40 5-5 1-0 1H,1A W 10-24 W Yes 14 14 Suns 15-44 1-9 2-0 1H W 10-27 W Yes* 9 15 Lakers 11-49 2-8 3-0 1H W 5-33 W Yes* 4 * Indicates the Tie Break is final Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on 2/27. No chance against the Spurs The Rockets fought hard on defense in this game, but the Spurs created good looks with their tremendous ball movement and smothered the Rocket's offense on the other side of the court. This earned San Antonio a huge lead of up to 30 points in the 3rd quarter. Houston battled until the very end, but the deficit was too large to overcome. The final result of 94-104 looks much closer than the game actually was. Leonard and Aldridge combined for 53 points, while James Harden had to earn his 27 points the hard way. Terrific battle at the top Golden State had to battle the Thunder in Oklahoma City in a highly anticipated matchup. OKC jumped out to an early lead and held on to it for most of the game. Up by four with only 14 seconds left in regulation, the Thunder had the win in sight, but two boneheaded decisions by Kevin Durant allowed the Warriors to tie the game with time running out. In overtime, the Splash brothers scored all 18 points for Golden State, including Curry's ridiculous game-winning three with which he tied the single-game record for three pointers made with 12. Oh yeah, he broke his own single-season record for most threes made as well. Final score: 121-118. The other results of the day Wolves at Pelicans: 112-110; Blazers at Bulls: 103-95; Grizzlies at Suns: 106-111; Nets at Jazz: 98-96 Today's games Not much going on in the west today: Blazers at Pacers; Wolves at Mavericks
Games H2H Div Con Overall Magic Team W/L L10 H2H Left TB Div TB Conf TB Tiebreak Number Diff 1 Warriors 53-5 9-1 0-3 None L 31-3 L No* 49 2 Spurs 50-9 9-1 1-3 None L 9-2 L 30-5 L No* 45 3 Thunder 41-18 5-5 1-1 1H,1A T 28-7 L No 36 4 Clippers 38-20 6-4 2-1 1H W 20-14 L Yes 34 5 Grizzlies 34-24 6-4 1-2 1H L 6-5 L 19-16 L No 30 6 Mavericks 32-28 4-6 2-1 1A W 5-8 W 21-16 L Yes 26 7 Blazers 32-28 8-2 2-2 None T 23-16 L No 26 8 Rockets 29-30 4-6 6-7 21-19 9 Jazz 28-30 5-5 2-1 1H W 15-20 W Yes 24 10 Kings 24-33 4-6 2-1 1H W 12-22 W Yes 21 11 Pelicans 23-35 5-5 2-1 1H W 4-8 W 15-23 W Yes 19 12 Nuggets 23-36 4-6 0-3 None L 12-26 W No* 18 13 Wolves 19-41 5-5 1-0 1H,1A W 10-25 W Yes 13 (-1) 14 Suns 15-44 1-9 2-0 1H W 10-27 W Yes* 9 15 Lakers 11-49 2-8 3-0 1H W 5-33 W Yes* 4 * Indicates the Tie Break is final Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on 2/28. Rollin', rollin', rollin' With a 21-6 run to close out the first quarter in which Lillard scored 20 of his 33 points, the Trail Blazers built up a 12-point lead. What happened next is unfathomable for Rockets fans: Portland just held onto the lead and didn't allow Indiana to get closer than five points for the rest of the game, resulting in a 111-102 victory. The Trail Blazers have now won 12 of their last 14 games, with one of the losses coming against Houston a few days ago. Parsons shines in Mavs win The Mavericks dominated the first and third quarter on their route to a 128-101 home win. Parsons had a nice statline of 29/6/4 and Dallas was +31 in the 27 minutes he played. Monday games The Rockets and the Jazz battle once again for the final playoff spot; today, they both have to travel east to face young and talented squads. The slightly struggling third, fourth and fifth seeds have to go up against seemingly weak opponents, but you never know what happens. Jazz at Celtics, Rockets at Bucks, Grizzlies at Nuggets, Thunder at Kings, Nets at Clippers
Thank you for doing this try! I see there aren't too many replies, but don't let that discourage you from posting, I will read this thread every day and I appreciate your input! I am sure there are many others as well.
Haven't looked at the playoff picture in awhile but surprised that everyone is geeking out over GSW while Spurs are only a few wins behind. The way it reads in the media it sounds like GSW is 10 games ahead of everyone again.
In Magic numbers, considering GSW has to lose 4 games for the Spurs to even have a chance of reaching them, and GSW has only lost 5 so far, it is pretty insurmountable. And GSW has a huge incentive to not lose more than 4 games, because they'll break the Bulls record, then. It is a must that the Spurs sweep GSW the remaining 3 games to have a chance...and to get the tie-breaker.
The rockets really need to win a minimum of 8 games out of the next 10. 37-32 with 13 games to go, try and win 10 out of the last 13 to finish with a record of 47-35. Not the season we hopped but I think might be enough to the 5/6 seed. Putting us in a series we might actually have a chance at. I still think making the playoffs and advancing to the second round is the best way to appeal to freeagents.
Games H2H Div Con Overall Magic Team W/L L10 H2H Left TB Div TB Conf TB Tiebreak Number Diff 1 Warriors 53-5 9-1 0-3 None L 31-3 L No* Out of reach 2 Spurs 50-9 9-1 1-3 None L 9-2 L 30-5 L No* 45 3 Thunder 42-18 5-5 1-1 1H,1A T 29-7 L No 36 4 Clippers 39-20 7-3 2-1 1H W 20-14 L Yes 34 5 Grizzlies 35-24 6-4 1-2 1H L 6-5 L 20-16 L No 30 6 Mavericks 32-28 4-6 2-1 1A W 5-8 W 21-16 L Yes 26 7 Blazers 32-28 8-2 2-2 None T 23-16 L No 26 8 Rockets 29-31 4-6 6-7 21-19 9 Jazz 28-31 4-6 2-1 1H W 15-20 W Yes 23 (-1) 10 Kings 24-34 3-7 2-1 1H W 12-23 W Yes 20 (-1) 11 Pelicans 23-35 5-5 2-1 1H W 4-8 W 15-23 W Yes 19 12 Nuggets 23-37 4-6 0-3 None L 12-27 W No* 17 (-1) 13 Wolves 19-41 5-5 1-0 1H,1A W 10-25 W Yes 13 14 Suns 15-44 1-9 2-0 1H W 10-27 W Yes* 9 15 Lakers 11-49 2-8 3-0 1H W 5-33 W Yes* 4 * Indicates the Tie Break is final Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on 2/29. Rockets and Jazz fighting for a lottery spot... ... instead of a playoff spot, at least that's how it seems currently. Houston couldn't stop Milwaukee from scoring (Parker: career high of 36, Middleton: 30, Antetokounmpo: 18/17/11), the bench might have been even more terrible than usual and lost 121-128. Harden (26/6/9), Howard (30/13) and Ariza (20/8/11 – close to a triple-double!) can only do so much on offense. It would have been easier to win if the Rockets didn't hand the Bucks their highest scoring game of the season. Utah couldn't take advantage, however, and lost a close one in Boston95-100. Upper tier does its business The Grizzlies beat Denver 103-96, the Clippers beat the Nets 105-95 behind 23/12 by Chris Paul, and OKC comes out of Sacramento with a 131-116 victory (Westbrook with another triple-double: 20/13/15, Durant with 27/10, Kanter shot a perfect 11-11 from the field for 23 points off the bench). Tuesday games Portland and Dallas continue their battle for the sixth seed, while the top and the bottom team of the conference face eastern teams at home. Blazers at Knicks, Magic at Mavericks, Hawks at Warriors, Nets at Lakers
Honestly the best thing for this team now is to miss the playoffs and reclaim our draft pick, which will be in the lottery. Besides, I'd rather watch Cousins and Rondo in the playoffs than us right now
Games H2H Div Con Overall Magic Team W/L L10 H2H Left TB Div TB Conf TB Tiebreak Number Diff 1 Warriors 54-5 9-1 0-3 None L 31-3 L No* Out of reach 2 Spurs 50-9 9-1 1-3 None L 9-2 L 30-5 L No* 45 3 Thunder 42-18 5-5 1-1 1H,1A T 29-7 L No 36 4 Clippers 39-20 7-3 2-1 1H W 20-14 L Yes 34 5 Grizzlies 35-24 6-4 1-2 1H L 6-5 L 20-16 L No 30 6 Mavericks 33-28 5-5 2-1 1A W 5-8 W 21-16 L Yes 26 7 Blazers 33-28 9-1 2-2 None T 23-16 L No 26 8 Rockets 29-31 4-6 6-7 21-19 9 Jazz 28-31 4-6 2-1 1H W 15-20 W Yes 23 10 Kings 24-34 3-7 2-1 1H W 12-23 W Yes 20 11 Pelicans 23-35 5-5 2-1 1H W 4-8 W 15-23 W Yes 19 12 Nuggets 23-37 4-6 0-3 None L 12-27 W No* 17 13 Wolves 19-41 5-5 1-0 1H,1A W 10-25 W Yes 13 14 Suns 15-45 1-9 2-0 1H W 10-27 W Yes* 8 (-1) 15 Lakers 12-49 2-8 3-0 1H W 5-33 W Yes* 4 * Indicates the Tie Break is final Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on 3/1. Not a good day for the Rockets, as everyone but the Suns won their games. No Curry, more problems The designated MVP was out with an ankle injury, and that definitely showed as Golden State went up against the Atlanta Hawks. The Warriors, especially Klay Thompson, bricked a ton of shots (shot below 40% from the field as a team), but stayed in the game thanks to large advantages in the rebounding and turnover columns. The game went into overtime, where Golden State secured a 109-105 victory to remain unbeaten at home. Mavs and Blazers remain tied Dallas shot 56% from the field and secured a 121-108 victory against the Magic. Portland was fueled once again by its starting backcourt of Lillard and McCollum that combined for 55 points in a 104-85 win in New York. Bottom feeders The Suns continued their downward spiral by getting blown out 126-92 in Charlotte, while the Lakers won against Brooklyn 107-101 thanks to 39 very efficient points by rookie D'Angelo Russell. Wednesday games Houston has an easier game than the Jazz, so this would be a good opportunity to pull away a bit. The last game of the night might be the most exciting one, with the Thunder visiting the Clippers in LA. Blazers at Celtics, Jazz at Raptors, Pelicans at Rockets, Kings at Grizzlies, Wizards at Timberwolves, Pistons at Spurs, Lakers at Nuggets, Thunder at Clippers
Games H2H Div Con Overall Magic Team W/L L10 H2H Left TB Div TB Conf TB Tiebreak Number Diff 1 Warriors 54-5 9-1 0-3 None L 31-3 L No* Out of reach 2 Spurs 51-9 9-1 1-3 None L 9-2 L 30-5 L No* 44 (-1) 3 Thunder 42-19 4-6 1-1 1H,1A T 29-8 L No 34 (-2) 4 Clippers 40-20 7-3 2-1 1H W 21-14 L Yes 33 (-1) 5 Grizzlies 36-24 6-4 1-2 1H L 6-5 L 21-16 L No 29 (-1) 6 Mavericks 33-28 5-5 2-1 1A W 5-8 W 21-16 L Yes 25 (-1) 7 Blazers 33-29 8-2 2-2 None T 23-16 L No 24 (-2) 8 Rockets 30-31 4-6 7-7 22-19 9 Jazz 28-32 3-7 2-1 1H W 15-20 W Yes 21 (-2) 10 Kings 24-35 3-7 2-1 1H W 12-24 W Yes 18 (-2) 11 Nuggets 24-37 4-6 0-3 None L 13-27 W No* 16 (-1) 12 Pelicans 23-36 5-5 2-1 1H W 4-8 W 15-24 W Yes 17 (-2) 13 Wolves 19-42 4-6 1-0 1H,1A W 10-25 W Yes 11 (-2) 14 Suns 15-45 1-9 2-0 1H W 10-27 W Yes* 7 (-1) 15 Lakers 12-50 1-9 3-0 1H W 5-34 W Yes* 2 (-2) * Indicates the Tie Break is final Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on 3/2. Good day for Houston. Despite not hitting any threes, the Rockets won 100-95, proving that playing defense does indeed benefit your team—surprise! The Jazz lost in Toronto, which gives the Rockets some room to breathe. Furthermore, Portland lost in Boston, keeping the hopes for a higher seed for Houston alive. If someone else wants to take over this thread for the next days, feel free to do so. I'll probably be back next Wednesday for the next post.
Oh, dear try, thank you, you are such a good poster to us. A kind and gentle and accommodating poster, and we thank you oh sweet, sweet user of forums for the smorgasbord of records you have so aptly laid at our board this day, and each day, by day, day by day, by day oh dear try three things we pray to love thee more dearly, to see thee more clearly, to follow thee more nearly, day, by day, by day. Amen.
Games H2H Div Con Overall Magic Team W/L L10 H2H Left TB Div TB Conf TB Tiebreak Number Diff 1 Warriors 58-6 9-1 0-3 None L 34-4 L No* Out of reach 2 Spurs 55-10 9-1 1-3 None L 10-2 L 33-5 L No* Out of reach 3 Thunder 44-21 4-6 1-1 1H,1A T 30-10 L No 29 (-5) 4 Clippers 42-22 6-4 2-1 1H W 22-15 L Yes 28 (-5) 5 Grizzlies 39-26 7-3 1-2 1H L 7-5 L 23-17 L No 24 (-5) 6 Blazers 34-32 5-5 2-2 None T 23-17 L No 18 (-6) 7 Rockets 33-32 6-4 7-7 22-19 8 Mavericks 33-32 4-6 2-1 1A W 5-8 W 21-19 W Yes 18 (-7) 9 Jazz 30-35 3-7 2-1 1H W 16-22 W Yes 15 (-6) 10 Nuggets 27-38 5-5 0-3 None L 15-27 W No* 12 (-4) 11 Kings 25-39 2-8 2-1 1H W 13-26 W Yes 11 (-7) 12 Pelicans 24-40 3-7 2-1 1H W 4-11 W 16-27 W Yes* 9 (-8) 13 Wolves 21-45 4-6 1-0 1H,1A W 11-26 W Yes 5 (-6) 14 Suns 17-48 3-7 2-0 1H W 11-28 W Yes* 1 (-6) 15 Lakers 14-52 3-7 3-0 1H W 6-34 W Yes* Done * Indicates the Tie Break is final Clinched the #14 seed Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on 3/11. We saw some very good developments since the last update. The Rockets are 3-1 so far on their road trip in the East, ending streaks for Toronto and Boston. The rest of the West is struggling, so the magic numbers are dropping left and right, and the Rockets might be able to gain the sixth spot as early as tomorrow. With their best players missing due to injury, it will also be interesting to see how the Grizzlies hold up. Saturday games The Rockets will wrap up their road trip as they meet their old friend and Clutchfans favorite Jeremy Lin in Charlotte. The more important task will be to stop Kemba Walker who has been red hot lately. Dallas and Portland are also in action, so the Rockets can end up anywhere from 6th to 8th after this day. In the marquee matchup, we will see the Spurs try to extend their ridiculous home winning streak against the Thunder. Pacers at Mavericks, Rockets at Hornets, Grizzlies at Hawks, Pelicans at Bucks, Thunder at Spurs, Wizards at Nuggets, Suns at Warriors, Magic at Blazers
Thanks Try. Keep it going. The magic number updates are very good. PS: While I agree that missing the playoffs is a very attractive idea, we are well within reach of 4-6 seed, which puts us in a solid position to get to the 2nd round. This would at least garner us some media respect with the late regular season surge and help make Houston a more attractive FA destination. Anyway, if missing the playoffs means a 14th pick, we know how bad Morey is at drafting at 14th. *ahem... Kawhi*.
Games H2H Div Con Overall Magic Team W/L L10 H2H Left TB Div TB Conf TB Tiebreak Number Diff 1 Warriors 62-6 9-1 0-3 None L 37-4 L No* Out of reach 2 Spurs 58-10 9-1 1-3 None L 10-2 L 36-5 L No* Out of reach 3 Thunder 47-22 6-4 1-1 1H,1A T 31-11 L No 26 (-3) 4 Clippers 43-24 6-4 2-2 None T 23-16 L No 24 (-4) 5 Grizzlies 39-30 4-6 2-2 None T 7-6 L 23-19 L No 18 (-6) 6 Blazers 36-34 4-6 2-2 None T 24-19 L No 14 (-4) 7 Rockets 35-34 6-4 8-7 24-20 8 Mavericks 34-35 3-7 2-1 1A W 5-8 W 21-20 W Yes 13 (-5) 9 Jazz 33-35 5-5 2-1 1H W 18-22 W Yes 13 (-2) 10 Nuggets 28-41 5-5 0-3 None L 15-27 W No* 7 (-5) 11 Kings 26-42 2-8 2-1 1H W 14-28 W Yes 6 (-5) 12 Pelicans 25-43 2-8 2-1 1H W 4-11 W 17-29 W Yes* 4 (-5) 13 Wolves 22-47 3-7 2-0 1A W 12-28 W Yes* Tamed 14 Suns 19-50 4-6 2-0 1H W 13-30 W Yes* Dwarfed * Indicates the Tie Break is final Clinched the #12 seed Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on 3/19. With the nice win last night, the Rockets sealed the deal over the young Timberwolves, who join the Lakers and the Suns as teams that will definitely finish behind Houston this season. Despite going a mediocre 2-2 since the last update, Houston didn't lose a beat in the fight for the lower playoff seeds (special thanks to our struggling friends in Dallas and to the D-League team formerly known as the Memphis Grizzlies). The sixth seed is definitely reachable and with the Grizzlies' injury problems, even the fifth spot may very well be up for grabs. So let's finish the season strong! Saturday games Nuggets at Hornets, Thunder at Pacers, Rockets at Hawks, Jazz at Bulls, Clippers at Grizzlies, Warriors at Spurs (not relevant for Houston anymore, but a must-watch for NBA fans