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;62-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;41-7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;17</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;2&nbsp;Nuggets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;52-26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-1&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;33-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;3&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;50-27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-6&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;32-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;4&nbsp;Rockets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;50-28&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;8-6&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;32-16
&nbsp;5&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49-28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;27-20&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;6&nbsp;Hornets&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;48-29&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1H&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8-4&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;29-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;7&nbsp;Jazz&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;47-30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;32-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;8&nbsp;Mavericks&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;46-31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5-8&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;25-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(-1)
&nbsp;9&nbsp;Suns&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;42-35&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;26-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes*<B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eclipsed</B>

* Indicates the Tie Break is final

<B>Clinched the #8 seed</B>

Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on <B>April 7</B>.

The Return of Carl Freaking Landry
It was comeback fever in Houston tonight. The Rockets knew Rafer was going to run his mouth when he returned to Houston for the first time, but they got a surprising lift when Carl Landry returned to action. With their rotation restored, the Rockets got another big victory over a hot Playoff-bound team. The defense looked great tonight, holding Dwight Howard to just 13 points, but the offense was a bit spotty. I’m looking at you, Ron. The Rockets buckled down and moved the ball a bit crisper in the fourth quarter, but I hope they play with more consistent poise these last few games. Still it was a solid win over the 4th best team in the NBA. All Magic Numbers drop 1. The Rockets get a day off before a back-to-back against the Kings and Warriors on the road.

Race for the Southwest Update
A night after finding out Ginobili would be gone for the season, the Spurs traveled to OKC to face a Thieves team that had beaten them twice in the past few weeks. The Thieves gave the Spurs a run for their money, but strong performances by Duncan, Parker, and Gooden proved too much and fueled the Spurs to a needed victory. It was a good win for the Spurs, but not exactly a dominating one. I’m very curious how they fare when they host the Blazers tomorrow night and if Popovich will sit Duncan. Tim Duncan put up 25 points and 15 boards, Tony Parker added 21 points and 10 assists, and Drew Gooden scored 20 off the bench for the Spurs. Kevin Durant put up 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Thieves.

We’re still a ½ game behind the Spurs with us down 1 in the loss column. The Spurs also picked up a Conference win.

The Rockets are now finished with their non-conference games, and they are 1 loss down to the Spurs in our Conference record. If the Rockets make up a game and tie the Spurs in the overall record, the Spurs and Rockets will have identical Conference Records. Like the head-to-head record, Criterion 3 is now a push. With our strong advantage in Criterion 4, if we tie in the divisional record, we are nearly a lock to win the overall tie break.

Criterion 3: Conference Record
Rockets Conference Record: 32-16
Rockets Conference Record Magic Number to Tie: 5
Rockets Conference Record Magic Number to Win: 6
Spurs Conference Record: 32-15
Spurs Conference Record Magic Number to Tie: 4 (-1)
Spurs Conference Record Magic Number to Win: 5 (-1)

Rockets Conference Games: @Kings, @Warriors, Hornets, @Mavs
Spurs Conference Games: Blazers, Jazz, @Kings, @Warriors, Hornets

For more information about the race for the Southwest Division crown, please read Post 772.

The Rest of Tuesday’s Games
Forget David West and Chris Paul. Rasual Butler is becoming the savior of the Hornets. The Heat looked to have this game wrapped up with a late 3 point lead, but Rasual Butler once again stepped up and drained a 3 at the buzzer to force overtime. David West then took over and guided the Hornets to victory. Chris Paul had 26 points and 9 assists, David West added 20 points, and Peja Stojakovich scored 24 for the Hornets, who stay a game up on Utah for the #6 seed. Dwayne Wayne put up 32 points, 7 boards, and 6 assists for the Heat, who stay just a ½ game up on Phili for the #5 spot in the East.

I figured the Blazers would capitalize when they played a bad Grizz team, especially coming off a loss to Houston and with a road game at San Antonio coming up. Instead, the Grizz led nearly the entire game and looked like they were going to score the upset. Brandon Row, however, put on another clutch fourth quarter performance, scoring 13 points and getting a key steal as the Blazers rallied to pull off the comeback. It was a good win for the Blazers, but it wasn’t the dominating ball they were playing a week ago. LaMarcus Aldridge had 15 points and 8 boards, and Brandon Roy scored 24 for the Blazers. O.J. Mayo scored 31, and Rudy Gay added 19 for the Grizz.

The Lakers started off a bit slow before they laid a smackdown on Suckramento. This game wasn’t close in the second half as the Laker starters sat on the bench for a scrub-filled fourth quarter. Pau Gasol had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and Kobe scored 22 for the Lakers, who have a Magic Number of 5 to clinch the best record in the NBA over the Cavs. Spencer Hawes had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Jason Thompson added 18 points and 11 rebounds for Suckramento, who maintain their 1.5 game lead on Washington and the Clippers for the worst record in the NBA.

ESPN has a pair of huge Contender Smackdowns tomorrow.

The Blazers-Spurs game has huge implications with a tie break on the line. If the Blazers win, the 3-5 spots will be Rockets, Blazers, Spurs. We’d also clinch a better record against Western Conference Playoff teams (Criterion 4) over the Spurs. If the Blazers lose they could fall to #6.

The Jazz-Mavs game could well decide who is #7 and #8. The Jazz own the tie break with the Mavs, but Dallas could move into a tie with only 4 games left.

And please Mavs and Hornets, somebody please eliminate the Suns tomorrow.

On tap for Wednesday: Blazers at Spurs, Suns at Hornets, Thieves at Nuggets, Jazz at Mavs

 

I made a misstatement there. The Spurs would still have the tie break over us due to their 1/2 game lead in the divisional tie break. So it would be Spurs, Rockets, Blazers if the Division leader rule holds up.