Mavs Magic Number

I just wanted to aware some Mavs fans who are...well...unaware of the "magic number" and how it works. With the NBA playoffs in the horizon, this would be some nice information to keep in the back of your mind.

With today's loss to the Lakers and a Phoenix win in Portland, the games separating the 8th seed Mavericks and the 9th seed Suns are back to FOUR. Both teams have 15 games left on the season.

Mavs are at 40-27. 9 games left at home, 6 on the road; 10 games against +.500 teams.

Suns are at 36-31. 8 games left at home, 7 on the road; 8 games against +.500 teams.

The Mavs "magic number" in order to secure a playoff spot presently (March 15th) stands at 12. Any combination of Dallas wins and Phoenix losses that equal this number will get the Mavs in the playoffs, no questions asked.

So after tonight, every time the Mavs win and the Suns lose, go from 12 and subtract away.

That's all. Remember: knowledge is power!