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Power ranking the teams at each hotel in NBA’s Disney re-launch

By Duncan Smith

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Walt Disney World remains closed to the public due to the Coronavirus threat on March 23, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. The United States has surpassed 43,000 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the death toll climbed to at least 514. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Walt Disney World remains closed to the public due to the Coronavirus threat on March 23, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. The United States has surpassed 43,000 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the death toll climbed to at least 514. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Grand Floridian teams

The next tier down could be considered the group most likely to play without homecourt advantage, such as it is. These teams are trying to advance deeper into the playoffs than the league or the odds expect. In essence, working their way up to the Grand Destino is the goal and will represent some form of success for teams that can accomplish it.

On the other hand, moving in Florida in July and August sounds dreadful.

Let’s rank the Grand Floridian teams:

1. Houston Rockets

The Rockets are forever mercurial, beating the Lakers and losing to the New York Knicks while getting outrebounded by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. They like to play small — indeed they have given themselves no choice — and we’ll see if that works against the athletic behemoths of the Lakers, Clippers and Bucks.

2. Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers are another mercurial team. They’re an incredible 29-2 at home and a ridiculously poor 10-24 on the road. In fact, they have the 8th-worst road record in the NBA. How will a neutral court environment impact them? Much like the Heat, we’re going to have to wait and see.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have been one of the most remarkable success stories in the NBA. After trading Russell Westbrook and Paul George away last summer, most expected them to tank. Instead, they have the same 40-24 record as the Rockets. No matter what (injuries and illness possibilities aside), this season has been an achievement for this organization.

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4. Dallas Mavericks

Speaking of surprises, the Mavericks are up there as well. Led by super-soph Luka Doncic, the Mavs have a historic offense and could be an upset risk against almost any top seed once the playoffs get started.

5. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers had an uneven season from the start thanks to multiple critical injuries and recovering from a preseason overseas trip. It’s nice that they’ll make the playoffs, but in spite of how hard they play and the fact that Victor Oladipo and Malcolm Brogdon should be healthy, the Pacers figure to be heavily overmatched.

6. Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are yet another Grand Floridian surprise success story. Thanks to the efforts of rookie Ja Morant, the Grizzlies are heavy favorites to make the playoffs and that’s something nobody expected. They’re dead meat once they get there, but the playoffs are nice regardless.

7. Orlando Magic

Once you get to the bottom of this tier, it’s all sadness. We’ll give the nod for seven to the Magic as the home team in this event, but it doesn’t matter much.

8. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets had four players (that we know of) test positive for COVID-19, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant remain injured, and now we have this group chat drama surrounding Kyrie’s apparently non-existent comments. They are also playing for interim coach Jacques Vaughn who took over duties after Kenny Atkinson was fired in the beginning of March. Any way you cut it, the Nets are going nowhere once things get started in Orlando.