1
The Bucks offense looked impressive in their first 2 scrimmages, setting up 113 points in 40 minutes in Thursdays win over the Spurs, then scoring 131 (including 80 in the first half) in a 48-minute win over the Kings on Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo has looked like his typical, dominant self, and the Bucks remain the favorite to come out of the East. More great news for Milwaukee: Eric Bledsoe has actually joined the team in the bubble after his bout with COVID-19, though he didnt play in either skirmish today.
—
53-12
Bucks
2
Lakers
LeBron James may have a little additional gray in his beard, however he looked refreshed in the two scrimmages this week. With him and Anthony Davis rested and healthy, the Lakers are as powerful as any group in the league. They still have to figure out their backcourt rotation and see if Dion Waiters and JR Smith can be regular contributors, however the 8 seeding video games should go a long method in that department.
—
49-14
3
The rest of the NBA season could wind up being a war of attrition, and at this moment the Raptors have one of the deepest arsenals at their disposal with a complete, healthy lineup. Because of that, they get a little bump in the rankings heading into the seeding games. This is an experienced group with championship experience, which might be a substantial advantage in the unknown bubble setting.
Raptors
2
46-18
4
Clippers
Williams will miss out on at least two seeding games while undergoing a 10-day quarantine, Patrick Beverley, Ivica Zubac and Landry Shamet have actually supposedly gotten here however will need time to get back up to speed, and Montrezl Harrell is still out of the bubble with an excused lack. The Clippers may very well be at complete strength to start the playoffs, however it would have been advantageous to have a total roster to work out the kinks in the seeding games.
1
44-20
5
Brad Stevens stated he believed Kemba Walker “had his burst” during Sundays scrimmage win over the Suns, however the Celtics will certainly keep their eye on his nagging left knee injury and perhaps limit his minutes during seeding games. Boston remains in excellent position to make a deep playoff run, particularly if it can remain in the No. 3 seed or move up to No. 2, but it will require Walker at least near full strength.
Celtics
1
43-21
6
76ers
Ben Simmons was praised for his absence of doubt when shooting two corner 3-pointers in the 76ers first scrimmage (making one), however then didnt try one on Sunday. Shooting aside, Simmons has looked healthy and significant as the Sixers hope to measure up to preseason expectations with a fresh start in the bubble. Al Horford struck 4-of-5 3s on Sunday in a loss to the Thunder, a fantastic sign considering his 3-point portion this season is his least expensive since 2014-15.
1
39-26
7
Kendrick Nunn and Bam Adebayo are back with the group, so the Heat must be at complete strength to start seeding video games. Theyre exceptionally deep, which might serve them well in the unforeseeable bubble surface, and have a proven playoff entertainer and leader in Jimmy Butler. With the Pacers diminished, going up to the No. 3 seed may be in Miamis benefit, but it will be difficult to comprise 2 1/2 games to pass Boston in the short seeding schedule.
Heat
1
41-24
8
The Thunder brought a full, healthy roster to the bubble, and got an emotional boost when Andre Roberson went back to the court this week for the very first time considering that 2018. Do not anticipate him to get considerable minutes in the seeding video games or the playoffs, but having an additional veteran wing protector is never ever a bad thing. The three-man closing lineup of Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder continues to be among the leagues best, and ought to serve them well in playoff crunch time.
Thunder
1
40-24
9
Houston got a little bit of a scare with Russell Westbrook contracting COVID-19 and James Harden showing up late to the bubble, but they both looked all set to go throughout scrimmage video games this week. The Rockets are the match no one wants come playoff time offered their high-variance, small-ball, 3-point-heavy attack and MVP backcourt, and they could wind up anywhere from No. 3 to No. 7 in the West based on their seeding video games.
Rockets
1
40-24
10
The Bol show and super-gigantic lineups have actually been enjoyable, but its been hard to get a sense of how the Nuggets look because a good piece of their rotation has yet to take the court. Nikola Jokic is as slim as marketed, and looked outstanding playing point player in the 2 scrimmages today. Given their lack of personnel hence far, the Nuggets will start their seeding games with at least a minor downside as they fight for playoff positioning in the competitive middle tier of the West.
Nuggets
4
43-22
11
—
40-27
The biggest enigma for the Mavericks getting in the bubble was what kind of shape Luka Doncic would remain in, however he looked fit and sharp their very first 2 skirmish games. With him and Kristaps Porzingis healthy, the Mavericks have a genuine opportunity to vacate that No. 7 area to prevent a first-round matchup with the Clippers. If they do, advancing to the 2nd round is a genuine possibility against any of the 3-6 seeds out West.
Mavericks
12
The Jazz will have difficulty making up for Bojan Bogdanovics shooting and scoring, and the responsibility will fall on Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson and, naturally, Donovan Mitchell. The discord between Mitchell and Rudy Gobert is popular, however it hasnt appeared to impact them much on the court. Well see if the bubble environment results in increased agitation, particularly if and when the Jazz lose a couple of video games.
Jazz
—
41-23
13
As long as all goes according to strategy, the Pelicans will have Zion Williamson readily available for opening night as they try to create their method into the postseason. This is one of the most amazing teams in the bubble with everything to bet, and they had the seventh-best net rating in the league after Zions launching in late January. Stay tuned.
Pelicans
1
28-36
14
Justise Winslow would have been an intriguing X-factor in the race for the No. 8 seed, however regrettably he suffered a season-ending hip injury before he could make his Grizzlies debut. That being said, Memphis has impressed all season without him, and this will be excellent experience for Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. as they fight to hold on to their playoff berth.
Grizzlies
1
32-33
15
Potentially losing Domantas Sabonis for the rest of the season due to a foot injury is definitely ravaging for the Pacers. Not only is the All-Star the groups leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, but he also facilitates the offense, balancing five helps per game. This likewise has ramifications for Victor Oladipo, who may now elect to sit out the rest of the season given that Indianas opportunity of advancing in the playoffs considerably decreases without Sabonis. For what its worth, Oladipo has played in both scrimmages so far, scoring 16 points in 28 minutes on Sunday.
Pacers
2
39-26
16
Sacramento was hoping that Marvin Bagley III would be a big part of its playoff push, but an ideal foot injury will keep him out for the rest of the season, after a left foot injury triggered him to miss considerable time earlier this year. The Kings are strong in their big rotation with Richaun Holmes, Alex Len, Nemanja Bjelica and Harry Giles, but Bagley might have included a different aspect to the attack. Sacramento had the leagues eighth-best net score while going 7-3 after the All-Star break.
—
28-36
Kings
17
Markelle Fultz didnt play in either of the Magics skirmishes this week, but he should be good to go when seeding video games start. Given the Nets depletion, the Magic will have a likelihood to move into the No. 7 spot out East, avoiding a possible play-in series with the Wizards and a first-round matchup with the Bucks at the same time.
Magic
1
30-35
18
Path Blazers
The Blazers were energized in their first skirmish video games as Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins looked great in their returns. The chemistry in between Nurkic and Damian Lillard was on screen right away, and the Blazers are going to be a hard matchup with their frontcourt size and backcout scoring. Their schedule makes it tough to capture the Grizzlies for the No. 8 spot, however if theres any group that can catch lightning in a bottle for eight games, its the Blazers.
1
29-37
19
Things are looking rough for the Nets, who lack most of their core players for the restart. More obligation will fall on Caris LeVert, Joe Harris and Garrett Temple to lead both on and off the court, while this might be a good possibility for Jarrett Allen to even more develop. Its looking like Brooklyn might slip into the No. 8 spot, and losing to the Wizards two times in a row in a possible play-in series isnt out of the world of possibilities.
Internet
2
30-34
20
Its going to be a rough climb to the playoffs for San Antonio without LaMarcus Aldridge, however this could be a great chance to get a prolonged take a look at young guards Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and Lonnie Walker IV. Disallowing an outright miracle, it looks like the Spurs incredible streak of 22 consecutive postseason looks will pertain to an end.
Spurs
—
27-36
21
—
26-39
Suns
With practically no possibility of making the postseason, the Suns will use their bubble time to build chemistry in between their two stars, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, and assess their young skill. Mikal Bridges has actually looked great in the groups very first 2 scrimmages, and is precisely the kind of two-way player Phoenix needs around those two. Kelly Oubre didnt play in either scrimmage today, so were still unsure about his status for the seeding games.
22
The Wizards just need to make up 1 1/2 games on the Magic (or two on the Nets) to require a play-in series for the No. 8 area, but even that seems unlikely at this moment provided Washingtons present roster. They were already the worst defensive team in the NBA, and now theyre missing out on the bulk of their offense with Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans sitting out of the restart. On the plus side, theyll get to see what things appear like when they run the offense through novice Rui Hachimura.
Wizards
—
24-40
23
The Hornets season is over, however they can take solace in the reality that they outshined expectations and established 3 players– Devonte Graham, Miles Bridges and PJ Washington– who might be legitimate franchise foundations moving forward. Theyll hope for lottery luck and continued development this offseason, but the rebuild in Charlotte has simply commenced.
—
23-42
Hornets
24
—
22-43
Bulls
It was a frustrating season for the Bulls, who lastly provided in and revamped the front workplace after years of speculation. Chicago has talent– Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Coby White, Wendell Carter Jr.– but it has yet to find a method to translate it to wins. Well see if the new brass opts to shuffle the deck this offseason.
25
—
20-47
Hawks
The Hawks were truly bad this year, just behind Cleveland for the third-worst net ranking in the NBA, but theres factor to be enthusiastic with the advancement of Trae Young and John Collins, plus the addition of Clint Capela to possibly support their protective troubles. They have a promising young crop of wings with Kevin Huerter, DeAndre Hunter and Cam Reddish, and will likely get another high draft pick this offseason. Eventually, though, you need to in fact begin winning games.
26
Timberwolves
—
19-45
DAngelo Russell averaged nearly 22 points per video game after coming over from the Warriors, however shot just 41 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range. Hell undoubtedly gain from the existence of Karl-Anthony Towns, and the franchise hinges on the duos success. Now its time to begin putting quality pieces around them.
27
We didnt discover much about the future of the Knicks this season– were still not exactly sure how excellent RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson are, and we do not know whether Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina will become part of the teams strategies. After a front workplace overhaul, the greatest priority this offseason was finding a coach, and they lastly zeroed in on Tom Thibodeau after talking to a number of candidates. Well see how he makes with a restoring Knicks lineup.
Knicks
—
21-45
28
—
19-46
The Cavs would have loved to have gotten a better take a look at Andre Drummond, however just got eight games out of him after trading for him at the due date. Offered the monetary landscape of the league, he says he prepares to exercise his $29 million option for next season, so the choice wasnt actually in Clevelands hands anyhow. Collin Sexton made a huge leap toward completion of the season, so the Cavs will hope he can construct off of that while they continue to look for a trade destination for Kevin Love.
Cavaliers
29
—
15-50
The long, unusual journey is finally over, as one of the most strange seasons in NBA history pertains to an end. The Warriors gained valuable knowledge this year, namely that DAngelo Russell didnt fit which Eric Paschall is respectable, however all eyes instantly move to next season, when a healthy Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, plus whatever they leave their high draft pick, must make Golden State a title competitor once again.
Warriors
30
—
20-46
In regards to NBA futures, it doesnt get much bleaker than the Detroit Pistons. Blake Griffins beast agreement will go through 2022 when he picks up the option, and the most promising young gamers on the lineup are Luke Kennard and Bruce Brown. Christian Wood most likely did enough to get the Pistons to make him a great offer this summer (who else are they going to invest money on?), but Detroit may be the leader in the clubhouse to enter next season with the leagues most affordable win overall forecast.
Williams will miss at least 2 seeding games while going through a 10-day quarantine, Patrick Beverley, Ivica Zubac and Landry Shamet have actually reportedly gotten here but will require time to get back up to speed, and Montrezl Harrell is still out of the bubble with an excused lack. Dont anticipate him to get substantial minutes in the seeding games or the playoffs, but having an extra veteran wing defender is never a bad thing. The most significant question mark for the Mavericks getting in the bubble was what kind of shape Luka Doncic would be in, however he looked fit and sharp their first 2 skirmish video games. Kelly Oubre didnt play in either scrimmage this week, so were still not sure about his status for the seeding games.
Pistons
The Cavs would have loved to have actually gotten a much better look at Andre Drummond, but only got eight games out of him after trading for him at the deadline.
