Put it this way: If we go 3-8 the rest of the way, Portland would have to finish 8-2 to beat us, as I believe we hold the tiebreaker with them. If we can't go 4-7 or 3-8, we don't freakin' deserve to be in the playoffs. D R
Actually, it's only 4 if they lose tonight and we beat them later this season to get the tiebreaker. Otherwise, Utah will have the tiebreaker because they have a much better conference record.
our magic number to be ahead of portland is 5 b/c we only need to tie their 47 possible wins b/c we have the tiebreaker. right now, we don't know our tiebreaker situation with utah (if we beat them, we win 3-1, if they beat us, it's 2-2 and i'm pretty sure they have the next tiebreaker pretty solidly) so i would say that puts our magic number to finish ahead of them at 6. of course, utah is the 8th seed and not the team we need to stay ahead of for the playoffs so our magic number for the playoffs is 5.
Since the Jazz just lost to the Lakers, we beat the Bucks, the magic number now is 5 for the 7th seed. It's also the magic number we need to secure a playoff seed assume both UTAH & Blazers will go undefeated, and the Jazz hold the tie break over us. Houston 42-30 +5 (47-35) --------------------------------- Utah Jazz 38-36 +8 (46-36) Portland 37-35 +10 (47-35) ------------------------------- Sat, Apr 10 at Denver Denver 38-37 +7 (45-37) -------------------------------- Fri, Apr 10 vs Portland
According to the Chronicle: The Rockets' win Sunday reduced their "magic number" to clinch a playoff spot to five on Portland and Utah and to four on Denver. If the Rockets' wins and Portland's losses for the rest of the season total five, the teams would be tied, but the Rockets hold the tiebreaker against the Trail Blazers. A combination of four Rockets wins and Denver losses eliminates the Nuggets.
Got some free time.. so... <b>7. Rockets 42-30</b> ______________________ <b>8. Portland 37-35</b> magic number =<b> 5</b> (Rockets won head-to-head 3-1) <b> Utah 38-36</b> .........................<b> 7</b> (number is assuming utah wins tie breaker.. ) <b> Denver 38-37</b> ..........................<b> 4</b> (depending on season series.. still got 2 games left) <b> Seattle 34-39</b> ...........................<b>2</b> (seattle won head-to-head so if rockets win + seattle losses > 4, seattle is eliminated from catching us) Magic number = number of Rockets win OR opponent's loss. Since playoff picture is so close this year.. there's more than 1 number, depending on who loses the least games hereon out..(basically, whoever has the second best record out of these 4 teams, we have to beat them out to make the playoffs) Here's where it gets interesting: Denver has a game each against Seattle/ Portland... and Houston has 2 games against Denver, 1 against Houston. If Houston wins the games against Denver, Denver won't catch us.. If Houston wins the Utah game, Houston wins the series; therfore, magic number goes down by 2 because Houston only needs a tie to advance, and down 2 more because of Rockets win + Jazz loss. Otherwise i think Jazz holds advantage in tie breaker. Seattle... let's not worry about them... and Portland, we won series 3-1 so a tie would be sufficient. Remember, to make the playoffs, we need to beat out 3 of these teams.. not necessarily all 4. The Denver games against Portland/ Seattle will determine a lot and change the magic number outlooks.
With Portland's loss tonight, the Magic number is down to 4 for the 8th spot, but remains at 5 for the 7th spot correct?
Since the Blazers just lost to the Knicks, the magic number now is 4 for the 8 seed, 5 for the 7th seed. This is assuming both UTAH & Blazers will go undefeated, and the Jazz hold the tie break over us, but we own the tie break over the Blazers. Houston 42-30 +5 (47-35) ----------------------------------- Utah Jazz 38-36 +8 (46-36) Portland 37-36 +9 (46-35) Denver 38-37 +7 (45-37)
— reports out of Dallas and Houston suggest those teams may sit their starters during the final week of the regular season to avoid injuries. tank you very much!
I am convinced that Utah, Portland and Denver will not finish with over 43 wins. Look at there finishing schedules. To many Laker, TWolves and Spur games left on their schedules. So Rockets need one more win for the 8 seed and 2 more wins to lock the 7 seed. Take it to the bank.
Not only that, they also play many playoff teams in east, which either competing for home court or trying to get in. It wont be easy. Most importantly, these 3 teams dont have the mega star that can pull them W every night from now on. Utah is way over-achieved. Portland doenst have the tenacity to finish every game. Denver is an inconsistent team, and Melo needs to cool down his hot head from time to time. I would be much more worried it was last year Sun's chasing us.
