2015-2016 Magic Number Thread

[Chinook]

As of 03/15/2016 the Spurs have clinched a top-four seed and the Southwest Division along with HCA in the Finals against any Eastern Conference team other than Cleveland or Toronto.

The magic number to clinch a top-three seed in the West is one. A Clippers loss tonight would do it.

The magic number to clinch a top-two seed in the West is four (though the two upcoming games against OKC are worth two points each and five points together). There's no scenario where the Spurs would go into the GS game having locked a top-two seed, but there is one where they could clinch even with a loss on Saturday.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is five (though the game against the Raptors is worth two points given that the Spurs have already clinched the second tie-breaker).

The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is seven. The Spurs currently lead 22-5 to 20-7 over Cleveland for the tie-breaker, but the Cavs can still bypass them.

The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 20 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of seven points together).

[Drom John]

http://media.jrn.com/images/X0013096635--362715.JPG
The magic number to clinch a top-three seed is one (a Clippers loss tonight would do it).

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/danny-green-of-the-san-antonio-spurs-makes-a-threepointer-over-kevin-picture-id492775971
The magic number to clinch a top-two seed is four (there's no scenario where the Spurs would go into the GS game having locked a top-two seed, but there is one where they could clinch even with a loss on Saturday).

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/cory-joseph-of-the-san-antonio-spurs-shoots-against-kyle-lowry-of-the-picture-id463018682
The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is five (though the game against the Raptors is worth two points given that the Spurs have already clinched the second tie-breaker).

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/gc/72913761-fabricio-oberto-of-the-san-antonio-spurs-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=ifdWNYFs75pqTD11BE%2FIaRQp6YZkVdKQQNfPmwB4BeQPJu g%2B88tJ%2FvN3vQhbP%2FWEwITS%2F7gmGWc%2BEUwXvVDYD8 sW1ADOo4yPSUq2qAQVNbI%3D
The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is seven (the Spurs currently lead 22-5 to 20-7 over Cleveland for the tie-breaker, but the Cavs can still bypass them)

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/manu-ginobili-of-the-san-antonio-spurs-shoots-over-klay-thompson-of-picture-id168914840
The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 20 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of seven points together).

[Chinook]

As of 03/17/2016 the Spurs have clinched a top-three seed in the Western Conference playoffs and the Southwest Division along with home-court advantage in the Finals against any Eastern Conference team other than Cleveland or Toronto.

The victory over the Blazers means the Spurs have cliched the three seed over the Clippers.

The magic number to clinch a top-two seed in the West is three (though the two upcoming games against OKC are worth two points each and five points together). The soonest the Spurs could clinch would be Saturday after the Warriors game.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is four (though the game against the Raptors is worth two points given that the Spurs have already clinched the second tie-breaker).

The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is six. The Spurs currently lead 22-5 to 20-7 over Cleveland for the tie-breaker, but the Cavs can still bypass them.

The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 19 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of seven points together).

[BillMc]

As of 03/17/2016 the Spurs have clinched a top-three seed in the Western Conference playoffs and the Southwest Division along with home-court advantage in the Finals against any Eastern Conference team other than Cleveland or Toronto.

The victory over the Blazers means the Spurs have cliched the three seed over the Clippers.

The magic number to clinch a top-two seed in the West is three (though the two upcoming games against OKC are worth two points each and five points together). The soonest the Spurs could clinch would be Saturday after the Warriors game.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is four (though the game against the Raptors is worth two points given that the Spurs have already clinched the second tie-breaker).

The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is six. The Spurs currently lead 22-5 to 20-7 over Cleveland for the tie-breaker, but the Cavs can still bypass them.

The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 19 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of seven points together).

Thanks for this. :toast

[apalisoc_9]

As of 03/17/2016 the Spurs have clinched a top-three seed in the Western Conference playoffs and the Southwest Division along with home-court advantage in the Finals against any Eastern Conference team other than Cleveland or Toronto.

The victory over the Blazers means the Spurs have cliched the three seed over the Clippers.

The magic number to clinch a top-two seed in the West is three (though the two upcoming games against OKC are worth two points each and five points together). The soonest the Spurs could clinch would be Saturday after the Warriors game.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is four (though the game against the Raptors is worth two points given that the Spurs have already clinched the second tie-breaker).

The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is six. The Spurs currently lead 22-5 to 20-7 over Cleveland for the tie-breaker, but the Cavs can still bypass them.

The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 19 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of seven points together).

You trying to audition for an NBA gig? Fyi, a few editors roam this board. Also bballbreakdown and The ringer are both hiring....

[Chinook]

You trying to audition for an NBA gig? Fyi, a few editors roam this board. Also bballbreakdown and The ringer are both hiring....

They'll take one look at my prediction on Leonard and go, "Nope."

[apalisoc_9]

They'll take one look at my prediction on Leonard and go, "Nope."

Meh, only idiots take wrong prediction into account.

[SAGirl]

Ok soooo we clinched 3rd seed. Yay!

[Drom John]

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/marco-belinelli-of-the-san-antonio-spurs-drives-against-the-oklahoma-picture-id482423259
The magic number to clinch a top-two seed in the West is three (though the two upcoming games against OKC are worth two points each and five points together). The soonest the Spurs could clinch would be Saturday after the Warriors game.

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/danny-green-of-the-san-antonio-spurs-goes-to-the-basket-against-the-picture-id459189041
The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is four (though the game against the Raptors is worth two points given that the Spurs have already clinched the second tie-breaker).

http://www.nba.com/media/avery1_300_071222.jpg
The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is six. The Spurs currently lead 22-5 to 20-7 over Cleveland for the tie-breaker, but the Cavs can still bypass them.

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/511355616-kobe-bryant-of-the-los-angeles-lakers-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=X7WJLa88Cweo9HktRLaNXsWfV1DYhW5StYHTdJHwzDL2NX%2 FIBbPYQlnfJAAUu7fBt6ho2pUhkdoEyitW3Kf1Yg%3D%3D
The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 19 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of seven points together).

[Chinook]

I have to admit, Drom, that last one is creative as hell.

[Chinook]

As of 03/19/2016 the Spurs have clinched a top-three seed in the Western Conference playoffs and the Southwest Division along with home-court advantage in the Finals against any Eastern Conference team other than Cleveland or Toronto.

The magic number to clinch a top-two seed in the West is two (though the two upcoming games against OKC are worth two points each and five points together). The soonest the Spurs could clinch would be Tuesday.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is three (though the game against the Raptors is worth two points given that the Spurs have already clinched the second tie-breaker).

The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is four. The Spurs currently lead 22-5 to 20-7 over Cleveland for the tie-breaker, but the Cavs can still bypass them. The Spurs could clinch this tie-break on Monday, but they can't clinch completely until Tuesday.

The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 17 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of five points together).

[Chinook]

As of 03/24/2016 (before the games) the Spurs have clinched a top-three seed in the Western Conference playoffs and the Southwest Division along with home-court advantage in the Finals against any Eastern Conference team other than Cleveland or Toronto.

The magic number to clinch a top-two seed in the West is one (so while the two upcoming games vs OKC are worth two points each and five points together, it no longer matters). The Spurs could clinch with an OKC loss tonight.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is one (the Spurs can't secure the tie-breaker over the Raptors without clinching the spot outright, so it's irrelevant now as well). The soonest the Spurs can clinch this would be Friday.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is three. The Spurs have secured at least a tie in the first two tie-breaks. The third tie-break is a coin flip, so that one can't actually be clinched until the end of the season. There are still two relevant games to the second tie-break, and those are the Cavs at Houston next Tuesday and the Raptors at Spurs next Saturday. A Cavs loss or Spurs win in either game would give SA the tie-break. It's very likely that the Spurs will have clinched outright before the play Toronto, however.

The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 16 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of five points together).

[$pursDynasty]

wow chinook you have really looked into all the variables and have laid it out, thanks dude for the work. truly a superior thread.

[Das Texan]

So basically by sometime next week, Pop can start resting players.

[Chinook]

As of 03/25/2016 (before the games) the Spurs have clinched a top-three seed in the Western Conference playoffs and the Southwest Division along with home-court advantage in the Finals against any Eastern Conference team other than Cleveland or Toronto.

The magic number to clinch a top-two seed in the West is one (so while the two upcoming games vs OKC are worth two points each and five points together, it no longer matters). The Spurs could clinch with a win.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is one (the Spurs can't secure the tie-breaker over the Raptors without clinching the spot outright, so it's irrelevant now as well). The soonest the Spurs can clinch this would be tonight with a win or a Toronto loss.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is two. The Spurs have secured at least a tie in the first two tie-breaks. The third tie-break is a coin flip, so that one can't actually be clinched until the end of the season. There are still two relevant games to the second tie-break, and those are the Cavs at Houston next Tuesday and the Raptors at Spurs next Saturday (meaning not tomorrow). A Cavs loss or Spurs win in either game would give SA the tie-break. It's very likely that the Spurs will have clinched outright before the play Toronto, however.

The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 16 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of five points together).

[$pursDynasty]

So magic number is one for HCA over everyone except the Dubs obviously?

[Chinook]

So magic number is one for HCA over everyone except the Dubs obviously?

Yes.

As of 03/26/2016 (before the games) the Spurs have clinched a top-two seed in the Western Conference playoffs and the Southwest Division along with home-court advantage in the Finals against any Eastern Conference team other than Cleveland.

The team's victory last night gave clinched their leads over OKC and Toronto. Both teams can still win the tie-breaks against the Spurs, but that doesn't matter anymore.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is one. At this point, the Spurs cannot clinch the tie-break without sealing the lead outright, so the Houston and Toronto games no longer have any special significance. Any Spurs win or Cavs loss (including tonight) clinches.

The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 15 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of five points together). Keep hope alive.

[Chinook]

As of 03/15/2016 the Spurs have clinched a top-four seed and the Southwest Division along with HCA in the Finals against any Eastern Conference team other than Cleveland or Toronto.

The magic number to clinch a top-three seed in the West is one. A Clippers loss tonight would do it.

The magic number to clinch a top-two seed in the West is four (though the two upcoming games against OKC are worth two points each and five points together). There's no scenario where the Spurs would go into the GS game having locked a top-two seed, but there is one where they could clinch even with a loss on Saturday.

The magic number to clinch HCA over Toronto in the Finals is five (though the game against the Raptors is worth two points given that the Spurs have already clinched the second tie-breaker).

The magic number to clinch HCA over Cleveland in the Finals is seven. The Spurs currently lead 22-5 to 20-7 over Cleveland for the tie-breaker, but the Cavs can still bypass them.

The magic number to clinch the Western Conference first seed and the top overall seed in the league is 20 (though the games against GS are worth two points separately and a total of seven points together).

It's actually pretty crazy to see how much has changed in 11 days. It's crazy that the Spurs could go from seven games needed to clinch over Cleveland to securing HCA in such a short period of time. That's even more true given that they were a couple of bounces away from being locked into the second-overall seed while controlling their own destiny against GS. So it's not even like they've gotten crazy lucky.

[Dex]

Spurs gonna wrap up the #2 overall spot tonight :smokin

Let's get this out of the way and start getting ready for the playoffs!