SPURS magic # for #1 seed

[George Gervin's Afro]

Since we have 26 games left and have a 5 game lead on the nearest challenger is our magic number a combination of 21 games? I ran out of fingers and toes so I need some clarification..

[MaNuMaNiAc]

wouldn't that depend on how many of their remaining games the #2 seed wins?

[Mel_13]

Magic number for number one seed overall: 23 (Boston can win out for 68 wins, 69-46=23)

Magic number for number one seed in the West: 21 (Dallas can win out for 66 wins, 67-46=21)

[Shifty]

wouldn't that depend on how many of their remaining games the #2 seed wins?

Kind of, but with each passing game, the number of chances for them to catch the Spurs lowers. If the Spurs AND the closest team both win or if they both lose, the number goes down 1, if the Spurs win and the closest team loses the Spurs number goes down 2. If the closest team wins and the Spurs lose is the only way the number stays the same.

It never goes up!

[Old School 44]

Also, remaining head-to-head matchups with the Mavs and Lakers matter if we end up in a tie.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Here's some scenarios for perspective: (Edit: This does not take head-to-head tiebreakers into account; I did not dig those up. This analysis is by pure win-loss record comparison only.)



If the Spurs go 23-3 over the remaining schedule, they win the 1# seed, period.


If the Spurs go 18-8 over the remaining schedule, they will win the 1# seed unless the Celtics go 23-4 or Heat go 22-3 from here on out.


If the Spurs go 17-9 over the remaining schedule, they will win the 1# seed unless the Celtics go 22-5 or Heat go 21-4 from here on out.


If the Spurs go 16-10 over the remaining schedule, they will win the 1# seed unless the Celtics go 21-6 or Heat go 20-5 from here on out.



Basically, a Spurs 1# seed is all but guaranteed by this point.

[JR3]

Here's some scenarios for perspective:



If the Spurs go 18-8 over the remaining schedule, they will win the 1# seed unless the Celtics go 23-4 or Heat go 22-3 from here on out.


If the Spurs go 17-9 over the remaining schedule, they will win the 1# seed unless the Celtics go 22-5 or Heat go 21-4 from here on out.


If the Spurs go 16-10 over the remaining schedule, they will win the 1# seed unless the Celtics go 21-6 or Heat go 20-5 from here on out.



Basically, a Spurs 1# seed is all but guaranteed by this point.

Nice!

[coyotes_geek]

Also, remaining head-to-head matchups with the Mavs and Lakers matter if we end up in a tie.

The Spurs have already beaten both teams twice, so they can't loose a head to head tiebreaker with either team.

Next tiebreaker with the mavs is division record and the Spurs have a magic number of 5 (Spurs division wins + mavs division losses) to clinch that tiebreaker.

Next tiebreaker with the lakers is conference record. Spurs magic # is 13 to get that one.

[z0sa]

Here's some scenarios for perspective:



If the Spurs go 18-8 over the remaining schedule, they will win the 1# seed unless the Celtics go 23-4 or Heat go 22-3 from here on out.


If the Spurs go 17-9 over the remaining schedule, they will win the 1# seed unless the Celtics go 22-5 or Heat go 21-4 from here on out.


If the Spurs go 16-10 over the remaining schedule, they will win the 1# seed unless the Celtics go 21-6 or Heat go 20-5 from here on out.



Basically, a Spurs 1# seed is all but guaranteed by this point.

The Spurs have already beaten both teams twice, so they can't loose a head to head tiebreaker with either team.

Next tiebreaker with the mavs is division record and the Spurs have a magic number of 5 (Spurs division wins + mavs division losses) to clinch that tiebreaker.

Next tiebreaker with the lakers is conference record. Spurs magic # is 13 to get that one.

Goods, brought.

[boutons_deux]

...

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Spurs RB 11 -21 ouch

Huh?

[George Gervin's Afro]

22 games

[Mel_13]

Magic number to clinch #1 overall seed:






Magic number to clinch #1 seed in the Western Conference:

[# 1 Troll]

Nice!

who's that ugly sack in your avatar?

[Seventyniner]

Magic number to clinch #1 overall seed:






Magic number to clinch #1 seed in the Western Conference:

Nice. Can't wait for the George Hill, Jaren Jackson, and Derek Anderson (and maybe Johnny Moore) pics.

I can't think of a #18 or #19 for the Spurs off the top of my head.

[GSH]

The Spurs have the toughest remaining schedule of any team in the league. They have 16 games left against .500+ teams, and 9 of those are road games. The Mavs, by comparison, only have 13 games against .500+ teams, and only 6 of those are on the road.

The big game is March 18 against the Mavs. If the Spurs win that one, it would be the equivalent of a two-game swing in the standings, because it would guarantee the Spurs the tie-breaker. So the Mavs would have to win 1 more game to finish with the #1 seed in the West.

If you assume the Spurs victory against Dallas, it is the equivalent of having an 8 game lead with 24 to play. (7 actual games, plus the tiebreaker.) That's pretty damned close to insurmountable.

BUT... if you assume that the Spurs lose that one, it would give us a 5 game lead with 24 to play. PLUS it would give the Mavs the possibility of winning a tiebreaker - so it could be the equivalent of just a 4 game lead with 24 to play.

The Spurs can make it all moot by taking care of business. But if they stumble just a little, that game in Dallas has definite potential to be THE key game of the season.

[Mel_13]

Magic number to clinch #1 overall seed:






Magic number to clinch #1 seed in the Western Conference:

[mikepatton]

Magic number to clinch #1 overall seed:






Magic number to clinch #1 seed in the Western Conference:

You went with Wilkins instead of Duncan? Really?

[Shifty]

Nice. Can't wait for the George Hill, Jaren Jackson, and Derek Anderson (and maybe Johnny Moore) pics.

I can't think of a #18 or #19 for the Spurs off the top of my head.

Good question, I can't remember any right now but Elson was 16 and Barry 17. Bonner 15, Neal 14, can't remember a 13 but I know we have had one, Bowen 12, Vaughn 11, Rodman 10, Tony, Steve Smith 8, Carl Herrera 7, AJ 6, Horry, 5, Kerr 4, Hill 3, Jared Jackson 2 and Hairston/Anderson 1.

[Mel_13]

You went with Wilkins instead of Duncan? Really?

[Mel_13]

Nice. Can't wait for the George Hill, Jaren Jackson, and Derek Anderson (and maybe Johnny Moore) pics.

I can't think of a #18 or #19 for the Spurs off the top of my head.

Good question, I can't remember any right now but Elson was 16 and Barry 17. Bonner 15, Neal 14, can't remember a 13 but I know we have had one, Bowen 12, Vaughn 11, Rodman 10, Tony, Steve Smith 8, Carl Herrera 7, AJ 6, Horry, 5, Kerr 4, Hill 3, Jared Jackson 2 and Hairston/Anderson 1.

I checked all the way back to franchise's origins in Dallas. As far as I can tell, no player in franchise history has ever worn #19. I do have a plan for that number.

Oh, look up in the rafters for #13.

[Shifty]

I checked all the way back to franchise's origins in Dallas. As far as I can tell, no player in franchise history has ever worn #19. I do have a plan for that number.

Oh, look up in the rafters for #13.

Duh! I kept looking for a recent player.

[spursbird]

Mavs' schedule is really easy. Don't be too early to celebrate. We'd face the CHeat two times.

[Sean Cagney]

Mavs' schedule is really easy. Don't be too early to celebrate. We'd face the CHeat two times.

Yep, we face them twice, Celts one and LA two more times? Portland as well who gives us ? Mavs who ARE VERY GOOD right now as well, this will not be easy period.

[MB20]

Good question, I can't remember any right now but Elson was 16 and Barry 17. Bonner 15, Neal 14, can't remember a 13 but I know we have had one, Bowen 12, Vaughn 11, Rodman 10, Tony, Steve Smith 8, Carl Herrera 7, AJ 6, Horry, 5, Kerr 4, Hill 3, Jared Jackson 2 and Hairston/Anderson 1.

18. Cherokee Parks / Blake Ahearn (per basketballreference.com)
19. No player wore No. 19

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...S/numbers.html