<B> Games H2H Div Con Overall Magic </B> <B> Team W/L L10 H2H Left TB Div TB Conf TB TieBreak Number Diff</B> 1 Lakers 63-16 8-2 0-4 None L 42-7 L No*<B> 16</B> (-1) 2 Nuggets 53-27 8-2 3-1 None W 34-16 L Yes*<B> 4</B> (-2) 3 Rockets 51-28 7-3 8-6 33-16 4 Blazers 50-28 7-3 2-1 None W 28-20 W Yes*<B> 3</B> (-1) 5 Spurs 50-28 5-5 2-2 None T 9-6 L 32-16 W No<B> 4</B> (-1) 6 Hornets 48-30 5-5 2-1 1H W 8-4 L 29-19 W Yes<B> 2</B> (-1) 7 Jazz 47-31 5-5 2-2 None T 32-16 W Yes<B> 1</B> (-1) 8 Mavericks 47-31 6-4 2-1 1A W 5-8 W 26-22 W Yes*<B> Bridled</B> * Indicates the Tie Break is final <B>Clinched the #7 seed</B> Here is the latest batch of Magic Numbers after all games were played on <B>April 9</B>. Taking Care of Business The Rockets had me a bit concerned in the first half tonight when they gave up 54 points. Rick must have given one hell of a halftime speech because they came out of the intermission and hammered the Kings to pick up their third straight win. We look like we’re peaking at the right time. With Landry back, the bench looks so much better, and Rick can throw a lot of strong combinations out there. This Rockets team is looking dangerous. All Magic Numbers drop 1. That means we have closed out the Mavericks and clinched the #7 seed. Next up: the Jazz and the #6 seed. We finished the night with the #3 seed, and I have to say it feels nice to be back in this spot. Hopefully we can hold onto it or even move up a spot. Nuggets at Lakers The Lakers got Andrew Bynum back for their big showdown with the Nuggets. Enver was hoping to use this as a measuring stick, but they apparently came up short as the Lakers snapped their 8 game winning streak. The Nuggets gave up 116 points in a game that could have clinched the Northwest division title for them. The Lakers are looking very dangerous with their fully loaded team and stay hot on the Cavs heels for the top record in the NBA. Kobe scored 33, Pau Gasol had 27 points and a career high 19 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum put up 16 points and 7 rebounds for the Lakers. Chauncey Billups had 17 points and 8 assists, and Nene added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who lose an additional Magic Number. We’re only a game behind the Nuggets, and we own the tie break on them. Their Magic Number is down to 4, but we only have 3 games left. If we sweep all of our remaining games, we can knock them down 3. If Enver loses at home against the Kings or on the road in Portland, we can tie them and take the #2 seed. The flip side is they only have a Magic Number of 2 to close us out. Heading to GolXen State The Rockets draw their last Probable when they travel to GolXen State for the second game of a back-to-back. This is another game the Rockets should win. The Warriors are playing without Captain Jack, and if the Rockets play intelligently, they should demolish a truly bad GolXen State team. There are 3 huge games tomorrow that guarantee Magic Numbers to drop, so the Rockets can make some serious headway with a victory. With a win, we also get to spend another night at #3 and clinch at least the #6 seed (and possibly #5 if the Hornets lose). Also on tap for Friday: Hornets at Mavs, Jazz at Spurs, Lakers at Blazers
sweet. i like the fact that when i get home from work there is a new post ready to read. we should get together for the playoffs.
I love the way they schedule the games for the last two weeks of the season. So many good games to watch, especially when things are this close. Personally I think this is the ideal scenario: (1) Lakers (1) Lakers (8) Jazz (4) Portland (4) Portland (1) Lakers (5) San Antonio (2) Rockets (2) Rockets (2) Rockets (7) Hornets (3) Nuggets (3) Nuggets (6) Dallas In my opinion Portland presents the most matchup problems for the Lakers and is the only team with a legitimate chance of upseting them from the west, now that Manu/Duncan have gone down. Hopefully a physical first round with the Jazz will soften up the Lakers for the Blazers. I think we match up extremely well with the battered Hornets and the Nuggets. The Lakers would probably smash us, but getting to the WCF is a hell of a success. With some luck, Kobe goes down with an injury or there is an upset in the upper bracket and the Cavs or Magic coming out of the east, we have a legitimate chance at a ring. Worst case scenario is a first round matchup with the Jazz, who we just can't see to hurdle. I know this is not the popular opinion, but I would tank to avoid them, even if it means putting ourselves in the Laker bracket. I also don't like a Dallas matchup, because they have been playing well recently. Anyway, go Rockets!
I'd like this scenario a whole lot. We should be favored to make it to the WCF and the Lakers will have a physical series with Utah to (hopefully) wear them down. After that, they play the Blazers who play the Lakers very well. I'd like the Lakers to have a rough road to get to us, so we can strike while they're fatigued.
there're still a lot of unknown, in term of matchup, i still like anyone except JAZZ, to be honest, there is no way we can win champion, so get out of first round is what most important. if there is a chance, we can pick the better opponet, do it. From what i see, other than laker, all other 7 teams are capable of win a serise. therefore, if we have to drop a seed to face like Blazer, why not!
My prediction on matchups is this: (1) Lakers (1) Lakers (8) Dallas (4) Portland (4) Portland (1) Lakers (1) Lakers (5) San Antonio (2) Nuggets (2) Nuggets (3) Rockets (7) Hornets (3) Rockets (3) Rockets (6) Jazz
That's funny. I remember all the arguing we did last year when we thought the order of operations was a certain way to determine the divisions 1st and then split the rest of the group off and tie-break it amongst the non division winners. We were wrong and we were like the only 2 who believed that and tried to convince everyone else of that and then MattJ came in and layed the smackdown on us for being wrong. Now they change the rules....so I guess I was right all along. This race is very fun. I'm thinking it might come down to a situation on the last day of the season in Dallas where if the Rockets win, they get the #2 seed and play Utah, or lose to Dallas and get the #3 seed and play Dallas. There are so many possibilities, but for some reason, I'm picturing this. That would be interesting.
I have concluded that this season likely boils down to the season finale at Dallas. Here's why. - Our game against Dallas is a divisional game. We can't afford to drop a divisional game because that's tiebreak criteria for the division. I don't see SA at home in the finale to New Orleans (I know its possible). Even if SA drops a game vs. Utah, Sac or GSW, we still cannot lose the Dallas game. We would lose the tie break. Losing the division to SA would mean our best result is a 4 seed, with a real risk of being the 5 seed (if Portland wins out, and its games are at home) - Accordingly, the ideal situation is for Dallas to have nothing to play for in the finale. As unlikely as it may be, we need to root for the following. Go New Orleans!!!!: Root for Dallas to go 1-2, with 2 losses vs NO, and a win vs Minn. That leaves them with a 48-33 record heading into the finale. - Under that scenario, NO goes 2-1 in the next 3. Two wins vs Dallas, a loss at Houston. NO would be 50-31, heading into its finale at SA - Utah will go 2-1 at worst, and possibly 3-0 if it wins against SA. At this point, we're gunning for the 2 seed, so we want Utah to win over SA. Utah going 3-0 would put them at 50-31, heading into its finale at LA. A Utah win or NO loss at SA gives Utah the 6 seed. - Under this scenario, Dallas is locked into the 8 seed going into the finale with no chance of escape. They rest their starters. That puts us on track to win out, awaiting the results of Enver at Portland. We would get the 2 or 3 seed, depending on that result. This is what I'm rooting for but I think it's an unlikely scenario ----------------- Most likely, this will happen NO goes 1-2, leaving them at 49-32, finale at SA Utah goes 2-1, leaving them at 49-32, finale at LA Dallas goes 2-1, leaving them at 49-32, finale at home vs. Houston All of them desperately want out of the 8 seed. It's highly unlikely that Utah lands in the 8 seed b/c it holds tiebreak over both NO and Dallas. If all three lose (most likely scenario, assuming LA is still playing its starters), Utah gets the 6 seed with the tiebreaks. If Dallas beats us, and the others lose, Dallas gets the 6 seed, Utah 7, NO 8. I think this is the next most likely scenario. If Utah wins, its locks up the 6 seed, regardless of the other results. Utah only lands in the 8 seed if both Dallas and NO win. I don't see that happening. If NO and Dallas tie, NO gets the tiebreak.
Rockets record- 54-28 Spurs Record- 54-28 Rockets Division Record- 10-6 Spurs Division Record- 10-6 Rockets Conference Record- 36-16 Spurs Conference Record- 36-16 It would come down to Record VS playoff teams where the Rockets have a 15-12 record as apposed to the Spurs having a 12-13 record;
I love the tie break theory part of this thread. I just hope they leave the rules alone this next season. We finally understand how the seeding works, and I don't want to figure out a whole new set of mystical tie break criteria.
Well, knowing David Stern, he's probably going to instill some new rule where the winner of the conference will get to pick who they play in the first round or something, simply because he wants to put his stamp on the game in every facet.
these last 3 games are HUGE. i'm even nervous about the warriors being a trap game. if the rockets win all 3, i'll bet anything they are the #2 seed and in the WCF.
It's fixed now. I usually write these pretty late and don't have as much time as I'd like to proof read them.
Utah is not that formidable as you guys think. A lot of it is just mental. If the two teams meet in the first round, each will steal one on the road - Rox in seven!!!
Very well thought out post. In my opinion, the Lakers will still have a lot to play for in the last game of the season. HA throughout the playoffs is what they are gunning for now.
Damn, the amount of different possibilities of how the WC bracket will turn out is mindboggling...i have no clue who i would want to win for these games: Hornets at Mavs, Jazz at Spurs. I mean, you can't pick ANY of them without there being a pro and con when it comes to benefiting the Rockets or not. Is it just me or is it taking FOREVER until the end of the season to come?
