NBA Bubble Rankings
1. Los Angeles Clippers
- Record: 44-20 SU, 35-29 ATS
- Futures: West 9/5, Championship 33/10
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
With center Joakim Noah on board and versatile forward Marcus Morris, Sr. now getting more practice time to get acclimated, Doc Rivers has the NBA’s deepest roster at his disposal.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
- Record: 49-14 SU, 35-27-1 ATS
- Futures: West 8/5, Championship 12/5
- Schedule strength analysis: Tough
Backup center Dwight Howard will participate, which is a big deal since he's fit in nicely in taking pressure off James, Davis and JaVale McGee off the bench. WIth J.R. Smith replacing Bradley, the Lakers’ depth took a hit, knocking them off their perch in these rankings.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
- Record: 53-12 SU, 36-29 ATS
- Futures: East 20/33, Championship 5/2
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
The Bucks will open the playoffs as the East’s No. 1 seed and will have a few chances to flex their muscles against the Celtics, Rockets and Raptors, but finishing out the slate will be all about adjusting to the bubble. Milwaukee lost its last four road games and is the team most affected by not having a homecourt advantage since it was 28-3 at Fiserv Forum and was poised to start every series there throughout the duration of its playoff run.
4. Houston Rockets
- Record: 40-24 SU, 29-35 ATS
- Futures: West 7/1, Championship 12/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Challenging
Tyson Chandler is the only player taller than 6-foot-9 on the roster and will likely be used sparsely, so success will hinge on how effective role players P.J. Tucker, Robert Covington, Danuel House, Jeff Green, DeMarre Carroll and Bruno Caboclo are in holding down the frontcourt.
5. Boston Celtics
- Record: 43-21 SU, 38-23-3 ATS
- Futures: East 7/1, Championship 20/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Easy
Glue guys Marcus Smart and Daniel Theis should play large roles with Brad Stevens likely to deploy them as x-factors come postseason. The team’s top-seven has only been healthy for eight games this season. Entering “seeding games,” that’s expected to change.
6. Toronto Raptors
- Record: 46-18 SU, 35-28-1 ATS
- Futures: East 7/1, Championship 22/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Tough
The Raptors will have a sizeable chip on their shoulder since their schedule is downright grueling. Seeing former tormentor LeBron James out of the gate should help fuel the Raps’ preparation and gives them a chance to make a statement early. Toronto’s schedule is filled with quality frontcourts. Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Serge Ibaka will all benefit from Gasol’s availability considering he’s missed nearly half the season.
7. Denver Nuggets
- Record: 43-22 SU, 29-32-4 ATS
- Futures: West 12/1, Championship 25/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Challenging
Forwards Jerami Grant and Michael Porter, Jr. could make an already loaded frontcourt truly special if they’re able to increase their production consistently. Facing the Jazz, Lakers, Clippers and Raptors to end the “seeding” games portion of the schedule should ensure the Nuggets are ready for the playoffs but could lead to a top-three seed slipping away if they struggle.
8. Philadelphia 76ers
- Record: 39-26 SU, 28-33-4 ATS
- Futures: East 9/1, Championship 28/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Easy
Both young Philly stars were dealing with injuries in March, so this restart benefits this group more than most. Given that they’ve gotten a lighter load of “seeding games” than anyone else, Philadelphia can generate confidence and make a run at the coveted No. 3 seed. Brett Brown is probably coaching for his job over the next few months. Rookie defensive standout Matisse Thybulle is healthy enough to play and should be a difference-maker.
9. Miami Heat
- Record: 41-24 SU, 33-30-2 ATS
- Futures: East 9/1, Championship 30/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Tough
The Heat shot the ball much better from beyond the arc at home than they did on the road and rely on young wings Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro to fill it up from 3-point range and space the floor, so it’s vital that they get comfortable in the surreal environment that awaits them in Central Florida.
10. Utah Jazz
- Record: 41-23 SU, 30-32-2 ATS
- Futures: West 14/1, Championship 33/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
Top shooter Bojan Bogdanovic is done due to wrist surgery, so it can be argued that few teams have regressed more since the March 11 announcement that Gobert had contracted COVID-19 shook the world. Mike Conley, Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson have to help bring their teammates together and should take some pressure off Mitchell with their ballhandling while helping absorb some of the scoring hit caused by Bogdanovic’s absence.
11. Dallas Mavericks
- Record: 40-27 SU, 35-29-3 ATS
- Futures: West 14/1, Championship 40/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
They already had lost Dwight Powell, Jalen Brunson and Courtney Lee to season-ending injuries. Rick Carlisle should be able to identify a rotation he can lean on over the course of eight games but getting off to a good start will dictate whether Dallas can overtake the Rockets for a Southwest Division title.
12. New Orleans Pelicans
- Record: 28-36 SU, 33-29-2 ATS
- Futures: West 66/1, Championship 120/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Easy
Jrue Holiday is one of the NBA’s top two-way guards and forward Brandon Ingram will be a restricted free agent and should help his chances of receiving a large offer sheet if he can continue his surge. Given its light schedule, New Orleans should be considered the favorite to wind up opposite Memphis in the play-in 8-9 series.
13. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Record: 40-24 SU, 40-24 ATS
- Futures: West 40/1, Championship 100/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Challenging
Avoiding the Clippers and matching up with a Rockets team that they’ve won two of three against is the Thunder’s chief objective, so I’d expect they won’t be resting players as they try to finish at least sixth in the West. Standout defender Andre Roberson could finally be healthy enough to play for the first time since January 2018.
14. Indiana Pacers
- Record: 39-26 SU, 34-28-3 ATS
- Futures: East 33/1, Championship 100/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
With shooting guard Jeremy Lamb already done for the season, Oladipo uncertain and Brogdon working his way back, brothers Justin Holiday and Aaron Holiday may be in for major roles. Domantas Sabonis would be most affected by a reduction of minutes since he's such a factor at both ends.
15. Portland Trail Blazers
- Record: 29-37 SU, 27-37-2 ATS
- Futures: West 80/1, Championship 150/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Challenging
Carmelo Anthony struggles too much on defense to be trusted to take many minutes on the wing, so a few of the kids will likely have to step up. Gary Trent, Jr., Nassir Little and Orlando native Anfernee Simons could emerge. Head coach Terry Stotts must figure out how to dispense minutes up front since Jusuf Nurkic and Zack Collins are back and Hassan Whiteside commands significant playing time at in the middle.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
- Record: 32-33 SU, 34-30-1 ATS
- Futures: West 120/1, Championship 200/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Tough
Rookie of the Year favorite Ja Morant will have a bigger stage to shine on while young forwards Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Brandon Clarke will be available after dealing with injuries in March. The same can be said for trade acquisition Justise Winslow, who hasn’t suited up since coming over from Miami. Backup guard Grayson Allen may not be available.
17. Orlando Magic
- Record: 30-35 SU, 31-32-2 ATS
- Futures: East 80/1, Championship 300/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
Orlando still has talented pieces in Nikola Vucevic Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Fultz to challenge opponents but becomes a different animal when Isaac is available to wreak havoc on defense. Playing the Nets twice means the Magic can dictate whether they wind up in seventh or eighth.
18. Sacramento Kings
- Record: 28-36 SU, 33-29-2 ATS
- Futures: West 250/1, Championship 500/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
Recent acquisitions Jabari Parker and Alex Len were also afflicted with COVID-19, so head coach Luke Walton will have a lot of moving parts in play. Fox, who has cut off his locks and is sporting a much cleaner look, will be the driving force and could help the Kings surprise if he's a factor at both ends and stays out of foul trouble. Richaun Holmes had a breaktrhough season but must prove he can thrive in co-exisiting with Bagley.
19. Phoenix Suns
- Record: 26-39 SU, 29-35-1 ATS
- Futures: West 250/1, Championship 500/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
It hurts the cause that Kelly Oubre Jr. won’t play, but that does give young wings Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson opportunities to carve out larger roles. Devin Booker is likely to finish the season with averages of over 26 points and six assists. The only players who have recorded those numbers before turning 24 years old were LeBron and Oscar Robertson.
20. San Antonio Spurs
- Record: 27-36 SU, 25-37-1 ATS |
- Futures: West 180/1, Championship 500/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
Dejounte Murray has worked his way back gingerly from an ACL tear but should be able to impose his will more given the time off. Lonnie Walker IV, Derrick White, Bryn Forbes and Trey Lyles should get plenty of reps.
21. Brooklyn Nets
- Record: 30-34 SU, 31-33 ATS
- Futures: East 80/1, Championship 100/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Manageable
Former head coach Kenny Atkinson resigned on March 7, so Jacque Vaughn will guide this group on an interim basis. DeAndre Jordan also tested positive for COVID-19 and won't participate, so this will be a great chance for Jarrett Allen to take a step forward in terms of consistency. The second-year center and fourth-year wing LeVert will gorge on experience over the next month.
22. Washington Wizards
- Record: 24-40 SU, 32-30-2 ATS
- Futures: East 150/1, Championship 300/1
- Schedule strength analysis: Challenging
John Wall will take a few more months to get right, so Washington will likely be an underdog in every game as head coach Scott Brooks takes a long look at his young talent. Rookie Rui Hachimura showed a few flashes of brilliance so it would be nice to see whether his game has blossomed over the past few months.
Follow Tony Mejia on Twitter at @TonyMejiaNBA or e-mail him at mejia@vegasinsider.com
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