Sean
To calculate how many games behind one team is from another, calculate the net value of wins minus losses for both teams, subtract the bigger result by the lesser result, and then divide that by two.
For example:
- If Miami is 36-31 and Boston is 35-32: Miami’s net record is +5 and Boston’s net record is +3, so (5-3)/2 = 1. Boston is 1 game behind Miami. Which makes sense, because if Miami plays Boston in 1 game and Boston wins, they both will have the same record, 36-32. Another way to understand it is, if Miami plays another team and loses, and Bostom plays another team and wins, again their records would be the same. To go from 1 game behind to tied, the leading team has to lose a game and the lagging team has to win a game.
- If Chicago is 34-15 and NY is 33-15: Chicago’s net record is +19 and NY’s net record is +18, so (19-18)/2 = 0.5. So NY is 1/2 a game behind Chicago.
If a team is 2 games behind another team, they need to win two, and the other team needs to lose 2 for their records to be tied.
If a team is 2.5 games behind another team, they need to win three, and the other team needs to lose 2 for their records to be tied.
