thelead wrote:We're up 2.5 games on the Heat for the division with 8 games to go (Heat have 9 games left)
So the magic number to win the division is 7. Any combination of magic wins and heat losses that gets us to 7 clinches the division.
If we can get Portland, Charlotte and Chicago, that lets us have a slip up against NO. But that Bulls game is huge.
So we have to go 3-1 in the next four to feel comfortable.
Then you have tossups versus Houston, Bucks x2, Philly. 2-2 is what we should aim for but obviously another 3-1 would be nice.
If we can steal the Houston one it opens things up for the last 3 games. First Bucks game we'd both be back to back, maybe they don't want to go all out.. Philly game they will have to decide what to do if they're destined for play-ins. Would they play Embiid in the 2nd to last game? Then hopefully Bucks rest everybody the last game.
So basically it comes down to those Chicago/Houston games, if we obviously handle business with Portland/Charlotte first. Winning the Pels game would put us in great position.