Magic Numbers for the Playoffs

[Dex]

We're getting down to the stretch run of the season, when the playoff race pretty much becomes down to the loss column. Only three teams are still fighting for playoff spots in the West: Houston, Memphis, and New Orleans, while Portland is still consistently nipping at San Antonio's heels.

With 15 games left to go on this gauntlet, here's what I've got for the Magic Numbers if the Spurs hope to make their 13th straight playoff appearance.

San Antonio Spurs:
Place: 7th
Record: 41-26
Games left: 15

Portland Trailblazers:
Place: 8th
Record: 42-28
Games Left: 12
Season series with Spurs: 3-0 Portland
Magic Number: 14

Any combination of 14 Spurs wins OR Blazers losses, and the Spurs will finish ahead of Portland. Portland owns the tiebreaker in the event of a tie.

Houston Rockets:
Place: 9th
Record: 36-32
Games left: 14
Season Series with Spurs: 2-1 Rockets, one game left
Magic Number: 10

Any combination of 10 Spurs wins OR Rockets losses, and the Spurs will finish ahead of Houston. Spurs could reduce the Magic Number by 1 if they manage to tie the season series with Houston, but that could still come down to tiebreakers.

Memphis Grizzlies:
Place: 10th
Record: 37-33
Games left: 12
Season series with Spurs: 2-1 Spurs, one game left
Magic Number: 9

Any combination of 9 Spurs wins OR Grizzlies losses, and the Spurs will finish ahead of Memphis. Spurs could reduce the Magic Number by 1 if they win the season series.

New Orleans Hornets:
Place: 11th
Record: 33-38
Games Left: 11
Season Series with Spurs: 4-0 Spurs
Magic Number: 3

Any combination of 3 Spurs wins OR Hornets losses, and the Spurs will finish ahead of or tied with New Orleans. Spurs own the tiebreaker in the event of tie.

[Cane]

Good post but I thought it was going to be about Orlando. Could use a different word than "Magic" other than that its great.

[DesignatedT]

seems like we should be able to hold off all of the above and at least secure that 7 seed.

[Flux451]

I hope we can make a push and get the 5 seed at least.

[Dex]

Updated, OKC added.

San Antonio Spurs (42-27)

Magic Numbers:
Oklahoma City Thunder (42-27): 13
Portland Trailblazers (42-29): 12
Houston Rockets (36-33): 8
Memphis Grizzlies (37-33): 8
New Orleans Hornets (34-38): 2

[Dex]

2 teams down, 1 team to go. One more win by the Spurs, or one more loss by the Grizzlies, and we're in the playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs (45-29)

Magic Numbers:
Oklahoma City Thunder (46-28): 9 (Spurs own tiebreaker)
Portland Trailblazers (46-29): 9 (Portland owns tiebreaker)
Memphis Grizzlies (38-36): 1 (Even if they tie the series, Spurs own tiebreaker with Division Win %)
Houston Rockets (37-37): Eliminated (Series tied, Spurs currently own tiebreaker with Division Win %)
New Orleans Hornets (35-41): Eliminated

Actually, looking at the tiebreakers, Houston is not COMPLETELY out of it. They could still manage to overtake the Spurs with tiebreakers, so we'll put their magic number at .5.

[DesignatedT]

we need the thunder and portland to lose so games. damn.

Portland plays @Denver tonight. so lets hope Denver can pull that one out.