Magic Numbers against the Western Conference

<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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Games&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Con&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Overall&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magic&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B>
<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Team&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W/L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L10&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Left&nbsp;&nbsp; TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conf&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;TieBreak&nbsp;&nbsp;Number &nbsp;Diff</B>
&nbsp;1&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;54-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;37-7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;23</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;2&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-4&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;29-12&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;14</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-2)
&nbsp;3&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;46-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-6&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;29-13
&nbsp;4&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;27-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;5&nbsp;Hornets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;43-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-4&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;25-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;6&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;43-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;29-11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;7&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;43-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;22-19&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;8&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;42-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-7&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;22-20&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;9&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;37-31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4-6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;22-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)

* Indicates the Tie Break is final

For more information on the Magic Number Chart or about seeding or tie break rules, read the FAQ

<B>Clinched the #9 seed</B>

The Rockets needed a win over the Wolves to keep their #3 spot, and they put on a dominating performance as they hammered Minnesota in a rout that even saw James White get playing time. Their offense looked more crisp than I had seen in a while, and the defense was pretty mean. Yao was off his game, but the Rockets got a lot of help from unusual sources as Shane, Kyle, and Barry all cracked double digits. They can go far if they play like this. All Magic Numbers drop 1.

KG returned in the other big game of the night as the Celtics played in San Antonio. KG didn’t get many minutes, but the rest of the Celtics put up a solid effort that looked like it would come up a bit short. That was until the Spurs pulled a Brick Anderson and missed 6 straight free throws in the final minutes to let the Celtics escape with a victory. Ray Allen had 19 points, and Rajon Rondo added 16 points and 12 assists for the Celtics. Tony Parker had 25 points and 8 assists, and Tim Duncan chipped in with 15 points and 9 rebounds for the Spurs, who have lost 3 of their past 5. The Spurs also lose an additional Magic Number and are now just a ½ game up on the Rockets for the Southwest division lead. If we beat the Spurs on Sunday, the Rockets will wake up Monday morning with the division lead and the #2 seed.

A sputtering Mavs team traveled to Indiana to take on a dangerous Pacers team. The Pacers played a tough game and the game was tied in the closing seconds until Dirk hit a game winning shot with 1.1 seconds left. Danny Granger’s attempt to tie the game was partially blocked, preserving a much-need victory for the Mavs, who have a 4 game lead on the Suns for the last Playoff spot. Dirk finished with 23 points and 7 rebounds, and Jason Terry had 17 points in a rare start. Danny Granger had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Troy Murphy also put a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The Grizzlies gave the Hornets a close game for 3 ½ quarters, but then Chris Paul put forth another exhibit for his MVP candidacy as he led the Hornets on a 17-1 run in the closing minutes to clinch the win. The Hornets got the victory, but they continue to show a lacksidaical approach for the first 3 quarters of yet another game. Chris Paul finished with 32 points and 9 assists, and David West had 29 points and 7 rebounds for the Hornets. Rudy Gay had 23 points for the Grizz.

The Jazz have trouble on the road, but they weren’t exactly facing a good team when they played the Thieves. It wasn’t really a close game, but Deron Williams went crazy in the second half as he iced the win for the Jazz. Williams finished with 24 points and 11 assists, and Carlos Boozer had 15 points and 9 rebounds for the Jazz, who move back up to the #6 spot. Kevin Durant had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Thieves in the loss.

Give Enver credit. They have played 5 straight doormats, and they aced the first four contests. The Wizards kept it reasonably close, but Enver had too much firepower on this night and won their fifth straight game. J.R. Smith had 40 points, and the Birdman put up 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets. Antawn Jamison had 27 points and 7 rebounds for the Wizards, who moved within a ½ game of Suckramento for the worst record in the NBA. The Nuggets maintain a 1½ game lead on the Jazz and Blazers, but they go on the road to face the Suns, Hornets and Mavericks next.

On tap for Saturday: Lakers at Bulls, Blazers at Bucks, Wizards at Suns

 

I didn't save the previous night's results so the numbers were being subtracted from where they were on Wednesday. It's fixed now. Good catch.

 

I cover some of this in my last State of the Race post.

Everyone has a difficult schedule left. The Rockets have a tough road, but it's in line with most of the others.

Rockets: 8 Contenders (3H, 5A)

Jazz: 9 Contenders (2H, 7A)
Hornets: 9 Contender (6H, 3A)
Mavs: 8 Contender (6H, 2A)
Spurs: 8 Contenders (5H, 3A)
Suns: 7 Contenders (3H, 4A)
Nuggets: 6 Contenders (1H, 5A)
Blazers: 6 Contender (4H, 2A)
Lakers: 6 Contender (3H, 3A)

 

<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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Games&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Con&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Overall&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magic&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B>
<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Team&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W/L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L10&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H2H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Left&nbsp;&nbsp; TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Div&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conf&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TB&nbsp;&nbsp;TieBreak&nbsp;&nbsp;Number &nbsp;Diff</B>
&nbsp;1&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;55-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;37-7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;23</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;2&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-4&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;29-12&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;14</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;3&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;46-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-6&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;29-13
&nbsp;4&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;27-14&nbsp;&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;&nbsp;
&nbsp;5&nbsp;Hornets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;43-25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-4&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;25-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;6&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;44-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;22-19&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;7&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;43-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;29-11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;8&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;42-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-7&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;22-20&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;9&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;38-31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4-6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;22-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

* Indicates the Tie Break is final

For more information on the Magic Number Chart or about seeding or tie break rules, read the FAQ

<B>Clinched the #9 seed</B>

Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on <B>March 21</B>.

Only 3 games on tap tonight, and the Rockets didn’t get any help. The Magic Number Chart holds steady with no changes.

The Bucks have been dangerous at home even without Michael Redd, and they beat up on the visiting Blazers in the first half. Then Portland came out of halftime and crushed the Bucks 30-13 in the third en route to a victory. Brandon Roy was superb again with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Steve Blake added 21 points and 6 assists for the Blazers. Portland moves back to the #6 spot and are just a game back of Enver for the division lead. Charlie Villanueva had 26 points and 9 rebounds for the Bucks, who are now 1.5 games back of Chicago for the last Playoff spot in the East.

Speaking of Chicago, they hosted the Lakers on LA’s first stop of their 2 week, 7 game road trip. The Bulls looked sharp and ready to fight for 3 quarters then completely fell apart as they let LA walk away with a win. Kobe led the Lakers with 28 points and 7 assists, and Pau Gasol threw in 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers. John Salmons had 30 points, and Tyrus Thomas had 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Bulls, who failed to capitalize on today’s losses by their competitors for the #8 seed.

The Suns are so pretty to watch now. They’re still not going to make the Playoffs, but they’re already on their second scorekeeper after the first one ruptured a tendon in his finger from scoring too many baskets. Phoenix racked up an obscene amount of points again when the Wizards came to town. Like most teams, the Wizards could run for a while with the pretty Suns, but they can’t play defense (or offense either for that matter) and Phoenix ran them off the court in a blowout win. The pretty Suns swept their 4 Probable games after their brutal Seven Games of Doom stretch. The good news is that they’re only 3.5 back of Dallas. The bad news is they have Nuggets, Jazz, @Blazers, @Jazz coming up next. It’s kind of make or break time for the pretty team from Phoenix. Jason Richardson had 35 points and 7 rebounds, and The Stro Show had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns. Antawn Jamison had 25 points and 8 rebounds for the Wizards, who are percentage points ahead of Suckramento for the worst record in the NBA.

The Rockets have a ginormous showdown with the Spurs for temporary control of the Southwest Division. It’s hard to overstate the significance of this game. All the games are important now, but this is a statement game. Taking down the Spurs would show we’re ready to be a serious player along with the Spurs and Lakers in the playoffs.

With a victory, the Rockets go to sleep Sunday night with the #2 seed and have a decent chance to win the division. If we lose, the Spurs clinch the tie break over us, we likely fall to #4, and would forfeit any realistic shot at the Southwest crown. I’ll post in a lot more depth about the tie break situation shortly after the game if the Rockets win tomorrow.

The Spurs have been unsteady of late, losing 3 of their last 5. The Rockets could have made that 4 of 5 if they executed at the end of a very winnable game last Saturday. Still that game has to give the Rockets optimism that they can go into San Antonio and get a victory. We took down the Nuggets in Enver and the Hornets in the Big Easy, but the Spurs are in another class. We have no Landry, but Duncan has a sore knee and has not played with his usual efficiency. I hope we bring the crisp, unselfish, team-oriented offense that we deployed against the Wolves, and the Rockets need to keep Parker from going crazy on pick and rolls as well as shutting down Finley and the other Spurs 3 point bombers.

While it would be disappointing, the sky will not fall if we lose. We’d still be in great shape for the #3 spot, but this place will go absolutely insane if the Rockets can walk away with the win. I can’t remember the last time we had a division lead with only 10 games to play (1994?). I feel good about our chances and am predicting a victory. Believe it!

Also on tap for Sunday: Warriors at Hornets

 

We had the division lead after the streak, but we lost it a week later and never regained if I remember correctly. I don't think we had it in the last 10 games.

 

It's funny because if we had beaten the Spurs late last season we could have gotten the #1 seed, but we wouldn't have won the division. That was the crazy Lakers-Hornets-Rockets tie break where the Hornets won the division and we got the #1 seed.

 

I just browsed through last year's Magic Number thread and we never had the division lead the last 10 games. We were a 1/2 game back from the Hornets with 3 to play, but we never regained the division lead after we lost it following the streak.

I think the last time we had the division lead with 10 or less to play was 1994 when we won the division, got the #2 seed, and won the first championship. Where's Tinman? He can verify this.