Booker has actually opted for 27, 30 and 35 points in Phoenixs three bubble video games..
Orlando Magic: Loser.
The Magic are going to get into the playoffs and with Isaac, I think they in fact mightve taken a couple of video games off Toronto. The Magic are 2-1 in the bubble, but the loss of Isaac is simply a blow to the gut. He could very well miss out on many of, if not all of, next season, too.
Miami Heat: Winner.
The Heat defeated Boston on Tuesday, without Jimmy Butler, and are now within 1.5 video games of the Celtics for the No. 3 seed. Nobody desires to see Miami in the playoffs. Butler is still avoiding jump shots like theyre a crowd full of individuals without masks, but hes doing his thing getting to the free-throw line, scoring at the rim and getting everybody included. With Bam Adebayo possibly being the most crucial defender in the Eastern Conference, Miami continues to look like a legit sleeper to do some genuine damage..
Memphis Grizzlies: Loser.
The Grizzlies have started 0-3 in the bubble and, even worse, theyve now lost Jaren Jackson Jr. to a torn meniscus– just crushing news for a budding star and a franchise that has as much to be positive about as any young team in the league. The bright side is Memphis is still in ownership of the No. 8 seed, but their margin for mistake has shrunk to nearly absolutely no if they desire to get into the postseason..
Portland Trail Blazers: Winner.
If the seeding games were to send right now, Portland would get its shot at the postseason with a play-in series vs. Memphis. They have 3 hard games coming up versus Denver, the Clippers and Philly, but they control their own destiny.
Philadelphia 76ers: Loser.
The Sixers squeaked out a win over San Antonio on a last-second Shake Milton 3-pointer off a rather damaged play, however what does it say that the Sixers required a last-second Shake Milton 3-pointer to beat the Spurs? Thats not a knock on the Spurs, however we continue to want to elevate the Sixers, based upon skill, into the business of the real competitors, and they simply dont play at that level consistently..
Philly lost its bubble opener to the Pacers in spite of Joel Embiid installing 41 points and 21 boards. The Sixers were plus-21 when he was on the court, however they were minus-27 when he was off. Generating Al Horford was expected to keep the Sixers afloat when Embiid goes to the bench, but the same old stories continue to play out with this team..
Were simply about one week into the NBA bubble and lets not mince words: This has actually been absolutely nothing short of remarkable. Ill be the first to confess, I was highly skeptical these games would look anything like typical NBA action. Honestly, theres practically no distinction on TV. I believed the pumped-in noise would be a trick, however its a perfect touch. Nothing about these games feel like theyre being played in a dead arena. And the virus is still at bay. Incredible job, Adam Silver..
And this is to state nothing of the level of play. Playing with energy and rhythm. These are still technically regular-season games and yet they have a March Madness feel like every game seriously matters.
Heres a take a look at the early winners and losers from Orlando.
Luka Doncic: Winner.
The Mavericks have actually gone 1-2 in the bubble, but Doncic continues to be the hope that they can pull a shocker in the playoffs. Theyre quite much locked into the No. 7 seed, which will likely mean a first-round match with either the Clippers or the Nuggets.
Phoenix Suns: Winner.
When the action began in the bubble, the Suns were considered an overall non-factor in the playoff race. People were questioning why they were even invited. Now theyve gone 3-0 in Orlando and are just three games back of No. 8 Memphis. Theyre just one game back of No. 9 Portland in the loss column. They wouldve liked for Houston to beat Portland Tuesday night, but not whatever can go your way..
San Antonio and New Orleans are still in front of the Suns, too, however that No. 9 seed and the capacity of a play-in series for the last playoff area is actually within reach. From where Phoenix began, thats big, and the way theyre playing obviously bodes well for next year and beyond..
Theres been a great deal of discuss the Heat and Celtics both wanting the No. 3 seed due to the fact that it would keep them on the opposite side of the bracket from Milwaukee, however at what point do we start talking about a potential second-round match with the Raptors being similarly daunting?
Houston Rockets: Winner.
Harden went for 49 points on 14-of-20 shooting vs. the Mavs, and when he was doubled and tripled Westbrook used the open area to attack the rim. Dallas put up 149 points on Houston, but the defense has truly settled in the last 2 video games.
Nothing about these games feel like theyre being played in a dead arena. These are still technically regular-season games and yet they have a March Madness feel like every game seriously matters. Now theyve gone 3-0 in Orlando and are just 3 games back of No. 8 Memphis. Hes balancing 19.5 points per game this season on 39 percent 3-point shooting, which makes him one of the leagues real bargains at less than $11 million this season. The Heat beat Boston on Tuesday, without Jimmy Butler, and are now within 1.5 games of the Celtics for the No. 3 seed.
Utah Jazz: Loser.
Utah is 1-2 in the bubble and having a hard time to create any kind of consistent offense without Bojan Bogdanovic, who is out for the season after having wrist surgery. Donovan Mitchell is shooting under 40 percent from the field in Orlando, and Utahs defense hasnt looked almost dominant sufficient to make up for their offensive constraints with truly only one legitimate shot creator..
The most positive advancement for Philly in the bubble is that they are stuck in the No. 6 seed, which right now would pit them against the Celtics in round one. The Sixers are 3-1 vs. Boston this season. When the finest thing to occur to you in Orlando is that you havent improved your seed, youre a bubble loser..
T.J. Warren: Winner.
What on the planet is going on with T.J. Warren? Man chose 53 points in Indianas bubble opener vs. Philly, and he followed that up with 34 against the Wizards and 32 versus the Magic. The Pacers are 3-0 in the bubble, and Warren is balancing … crunches numbers … 39.6 points on 65 percent shooting, consisting of 61 percent from 3-point range..
Hes balancing 19.5 points per game this season on 39 percent 3-point shooting, which makes him one of the leagues genuine deals at less than $11 million this season. Its not like this is coming completely out of no place.
And the Suns arent beating slouches. After knocking off the Wizards, theyve defeated the Mavericks and Clippers, the latter of which came on Tuesday courtesy of a Kobe-like game-winner from Devin Booker..
Los Angeles Lakers: Winner.
Anthony Davis laid an egg in the Lakers loss to Toronto, but in their 2 wins versus the Clippers and Jazz hes combined for 76 points. The Lakers have actually clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and LeBron James isnt even averaging 20 points in the bubble. Dion Waiters has looked terrific. Kyle Kuzma is playing terrific defense and making shots. A lot to be positive about for the purple and gold..
And theyre healthy. Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins are back and play fantastic, particularly Nurkic. Carmelo Anthony has actually been lights out making massive shots in monster situations. And, obviously, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are cooking individuals. This is an unsafe group. Far too dangerous for the Lakers to feel entirely comfortable in a possible first-round series..
Toronto Raptors: Winner.
Did someone say the Raptors were dead when Kawhi Leonard left? I understand I did. Ridiculous me. Silly quite much everyone. The Raptors entered the bubble with the third-best record in the league and theyve gone 2-0 in Orlando, controling the Lakers before removing the Heat..
