Did someone say we can't agree on a formula for a MAGIC NUMBER! Sure we can. First, decide if you want to calculate MAGIC NUMBER for a tie or to clinch a playoff position! Call this X where X = 0 for a tie and X = 1 to clinch playoff position. I will calculate to clinch, so X = 1 Number of games played by each team in regular season = G G =82 Then decide what team or place in standings you want to calculate MAGIC NUMBER for, take Utah for example who is presently in 9th place and see how many losses they already have which is 32 (call this L). Actually right now, Denver also has 32 losses with 1 more win than Utah so they both have the same MAGIC NUMBER at this moment! L = 32 Then see how many wins Houston has, call this W (W = 37). After Houston beating New Orleans tonight, W = 38 So here is your FORMULA for the MAGIC NUMBER: MAGIC NUMBER = (G - L - W + X) = 82-32-38+1 = 12+1 = 13 RAH RAH RAH for our team! You can calculate a magic number at any point in the season you want relative to any team or standing you want.
That's correct, our magic number to finish ahead of Utah or ahead of Denver is 13. However, all we care about is what the magic number is to reach the playoffs. And right now it is 12 as Utah and Denver have two games left between them, which guarantees us that if we win 12 games we will finish ahead of AT LEAST one of these two teams, which will get us to the playoffs.
You guys are crazy. Last year we were 43 vs 39, which was already like the best record without making the playoff. Will it happen again? Not likely. If we can go over 44, we should be pretty safe.
Sorry for being anal, but the Rockets' record of 45-37 three years ago was the best record without making the playoffs. Last year's was second-best in NBA history, I believe. All I have to say about this magic number stuff is: 12 is the magic number. 12 more wins, and the Rockets are in the playoffs NO MATTER WHAT!!
To: Kayman Your absolutely right in what you say, but the MAGIC NUMBER - dosn't care what the schedule between teams is in the future. So even though you are smart enough to know you can guarantee another loss for those teams - it cannot enter into the formula because then a MAGIC NUMBER calculation would have to be about a mile long formula to figure every permutation for the seaon team schedule. Also, the formula would change every year based on the schedule. So the generalized formula I gave is correct; then you have to adjust it LOWER (not higher) as you have based on team matchups before the end of the season.
Magic number for playoff is: 12 Rockets are in with : a) 12 more Rockets wins, or b) 12 Utah losses, or c) 6 Rockets wins and 6 Utah losses, etc, etc.
If the Rox somehow manages to miss the play offs this year. Swear to god, I'm gonna damage anything in sight
That's totally wrong!! Magic Number of 12 means the Rockets must win 12 games to get in the playoffs. As other teams (Utah, Denver, Portland) lose games the magic number may go down, but 12 Utah losses only guarantees that Rockets will finish ahead of Utah, does not guarantee that Rockets will make the playoffs. Theoretically, If Utah losses 12 games is your only condition, Houston could be surpassed even by the Suns.
well, this would all be easier to calculate if we were in 8th place instead of 7th, because I think what we all are REALLY wanting to see the 'Magic Number' for is the number which will keep us in at least 7th place, in which case Chan is correct, and either Denver or Utah, it won't matter. If we just want to look at a number which guarantees us at least an 8th spot, then we have to take into consideration ALL the mathematically-possible teams that are behind us, not just Utah & Denver, but even Phx and others.. However, I think that is backwards thinking.. let's try something more optimistic and forward-thinking.. let's see some magic numbers for, say, HOME COURT, or 5th place, or 6th place.. that way we will have a better feel for the overall picture, and maybe even start crossing our fingers to actually move UP, instead of just being giddy about sliding into the postseason at all.. ESPECIALLY with this weekend's game coming up against the Grizz.. How bout it? Anyone out there with the pocket-protectors and slide-rules wanna try to show us some 'Magic Numbers' for the 3 spots directly above Houston in the standings? Personally I would LOVE to see that...
Kayman, my mistake. Utah needs to be 9th in the loss column in order for Utah's loss to reduce the magic number. Here are the correct rules. 1. Current magic number: 12 2. Magic number is reduced by one with each Rockets' win. 3. Magic number is also reduced by one with a loss from a team who ranks 9-th in the loss column (currently Utah). 4. When magic number reaches 0, Rockets are in the playoff!
don't say that too loud or the 'haven't been to the playoffs in 5 yrs' crowd will have a fit Rocket River
It's down to 11, and it's guaranteed to be 10 after tomorrow night with Utah playing in Denver. Of course, this is a big waste of time since the Rockets are virtually assured of being in the playoffs. The real question is whether or not they can reach the 4th or 5th seed.
