2012 Magic Numbers Thread

[Mel_13]

This thread will track the magic number for the Spurs to clinch a better record than the other teams in the Western Conference.

I won't include a magic number with regard to OKC since the Spurs do not control their own destiny in that case. If the Spurs draw even in the loss column with OKC, I'll add them then. (added Thunder on April 4th)

As each team is eliminated, they'll join New Orleans and Sacramento in the "Johnny Moore Zone".

Thread will be updated daily, if required

Magic numbers current as of the end of NBA action for Monday, April 23rd:



Hornets
Kings
Warriors
Timberwolves
Trailblazers
Jazz
Suns
Mavericks
Nuggets
Rockets
Grizzlies
Clippers
Lakers
Thunder

[Mel_13]

Current magic numbers:


Lakers



Clippers




Grizzlies




Mavericks



Nuggets
Rockets



None



Suns
Jazz



None



Timberwolves
Trailblazers



None



Warriors



Hornets
Kings

[Mel_13]

Current magic numbers:


Lakers



Clippers




Grizzlies




Mavericks



Nuggets



Rockets



Suns
Jazz



None



Trailblazers



Timberwolves



None



Hornets
Kings
Warriors

[Obstructed_View]

Sorry, RJ.

[Dex]

Lots of WC matchups tonight. Spurs are could gain as many as 5 magic numbers (distributed amongst teams still in the hunt).

[timvp]

Great thread idea

The Spurs could go 11-5 and still be guaranteed of the second seed. Not bad.

[DPG21920]

Great thread idea

The Spurs could go 11-5 and still be guaranteed of the second seed. Not bad.

That's what they should aim for because this schedule is bull . To head into the playoffs: 8 games in 10 days all back to back sets including a b2b2b

[Mel_13]

Magic numbers current as of the end of NBA action for Monday, April 2nd. OP updated:


Lakers




Clippers




Grizzlies




None




Nuggets
Mavericks




Rockets




Suns
Jazz




None




None




Trailblazers




Timberwolves




Hornets
Kings
Warriors

[DesignatedT]

Spurs should try and clinch as soon as possible. If they can secure the 2 seed before the last 2 games of the season I wouldn't even send the big 3 on the road trip. It's a b2b @PHO and @SAC on Wed and Thurs and the playoffs start on Sat.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

That's what they should aim for because this schedule is bull . To head into the playoffs: 8 games in 10 days all back to back sets including a b2b2b

We should not give a crap about any of those games down the stretch. play the starters only first half, use the deep bench the second. Keep the guys fresh.

That end of season stretch is not worth burning the team out over

[Drom John]

Thunder

[Obstructed_View]

We should not give a crap about any of those games down the stretch. play the starters only first half, use the deep bench the second. Keep the guys fresh.

That end of season stretch is not worth burning the team out over

Last year, Duncan's minutes were limited the entire season and he'd run out of gas in the second half during the playoffs. Rest is fine, but the five or six best guys on the team need to have the wind to play 38 minutes a night.

[will_spurs]

Current magic numbers:

Mel,

thanks for doing this!

2 comments:
- would it be possible to say the day (e.g. "current after games on 4/2/2011") instead of just "current", as for overseas fans like me it can be tough to say when "current" is "current", without having to play mind games with timestamps and so on
- it's nice to see new pictures of Spurs players every day, but I wished the 1st post had the current info, no matter what.

[Mel_13]

Mel,

thanks for doing this!

2 comments:
- would it be possible to say the day (e.g. "current after games on 4/2/2011") instead of just "current", as for overseas fans like me it can be tough to say when "current" is "current", without having to play mind games with timestamps and so on
- it's nice to see new pictures of Spurs players every day, but I wished the 1st post had the current info, no matter what.

Thanks for the feedback. I've incorporated your suggestions so that the OP and the most recent post will contain up to date, and dated, information

[Mel_13]

Thunder

Patience..

Also, I won't include a magic number with regard to OKC since the Spurs do not control their own destiny in that case. If the Spurs draw even in the loss column with OKC, I'll add them then.

[Mel_13]

Magic numbers current as of the end of NBA action for Tuesday, April 3rd. OP updated:



Lakers




Clippers




Grizzlies




None




Nuggets
Mavericks




Rockets




Suns
Jazz




None




None




Trailblazers




Hornets
Kings
Warriors
Timberwolves

[Seventyniner]

Also, I won't include a magic number with regard to OKC since the Spurs do not control their own destiny in that case. If the Spurs draw even in the loss column with OKC, I'll add them then.

The Spurs being behind the Thunder (i.e. not controlling their destiny) only means that the magic number is greater than the number of games remaining. Greater by 1 right now because the Spurs are 1 loss back and hold the tiebreaker. I think it's fair game.

Plus, you would get to dig up old pictures of Francisco Elson, Hedo Turkoglu, and James Silas! What's not to like?

[Mel_13]

The Spurs being behind the Thunder (i.e. not controlling their destiny) only means that the magic number is greater than the number of games remaining. Greater by 1 right now because the Spurs are 1 loss back and hold the tiebreaker. I think it's fair game.

Plus, you would get to dig up old pictures of Francisco Elson, Hedo Turkoglu, and James Silas! What's not to like?

Spurs win + OKC loss = Beno sighting?

[Mel_13]

Magic numbers current as of the end of NBA action for Wednesday, April 4th. OP updated (Accounting for tiebreakers and added Thunder with this update):



Thunder




Lakers



None




None




Clippers




Mavericks
Grizzlies




None




Suns
Rockets
Nuggets




Jazz




None




Hornets
Kings
Warriors
Timberwolves
Trailblazers

[Dex]

8 teams still "in the race". Only gotta get 1 more in the Moore Zone, and Spurs are, at the very least, guaranteed a playoff spot.

[Mel_13]

8 teams still "in the race". Only gotta get 1 more in the Moore Zone, and Spurs are, at the very least, guaranteed a playoff spot.

Need to relegate two more to clinch a playoff spot. With wins over the Hornets and Jazz, they will definitely have that spot clinched by Sunday.

[timvp]

So if the Spurs finish the season 5-9, they're still guaranteed homecourt in the first round. Hopefully Pop doesn't realize that

[Mel_13]

So if the Spurs finish the season 5-9, they're still guaranteed homecourt in the first round. Hopefully Pop doesn't realize that

Since Memphis plays Dallas one more time this season, 4-10 will guarantee HCA in the first round.

shhhh

[boutons_deux]

If Celts can hand the Bulls L #14, then HCA throughout the playoffs is within Spurs' reach.

[roycrikside]

I know the Spurs have been terrific on the road lately, but I think it'd be foolish to not secure the best seed possible. Miami has won 17 in a row at home, including yesterday against a great Thunder team. The Heat are just not the same team at home as they are on the road. Not nearly as intense, especially LeBron. The Thunder also are tougher to beat at home. The Bulls, I'm less concerned about.

Still, I think the Spurs can be relatively intelligent about this and still try to win every game they play. If you think about it, they're not playing anyone THAT good. They'll be favored to win 13 of their final 14 games.

In my mind, they have five playoff-level games left: The three with LA, Memphis, and @Phx. They have nine games against mediocre-or-worse teams (NO, @GS x2, vs. Utah, @Utah, vs. Phx (less difficult at home), Cle, @Sac, Por).

Simply rest one of the big three in each of those 9 relatively easy games. That's 3 games off for each of them. If you want to cash in one game, have it be the one on the road @LA, the one we're the likeliest to lose anyway, and it comes in the middle of a b2b2b. That's 4 out of 14 the big three don't play.

Go for a 13-1 finish, get HCA.