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NBA Bubble Power Rankings Preview: Looking at week one

By Corey Rausch

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers is fouled by Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 112-103 Lakers win at Staples Center on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers is fouled by Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 112-103 Lakers win at Staples Center on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets, James Harden, Russell Westbrook
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

. 40-24. Previous: 6th. Houston Rockets. 5. team. 169

As we already discussed the first meeting between the Houston Rockets and Mavericks, it only makes sense to look into the other as we preview the Rockets opening week. This one is even tougher to take things from as the Rockets were shorthanded and the Mavs were missing Doncic in their own right.

One thing the Mavs (and every other team) will be used to at this point is having to contain the lead guards in Houston. Russell Westbrook and James Harden combined for 67 points, 22 rebounds, 15 assists and seven steals in their win over Dallas. The fact that they were able to do this before adding Robert Covington to the lineup should put plenty of fear into all the Western Conference teams.

Westbrook has been released from quarantine and looks to be healthy. As the team gets more players cleared for competition, they are looking more formidable by the day. Even as Austin Rivers leaves the bubble for an urgent family matter, this is one of the few players they can afford to lose just given the variety of guards they have coming off the bench. We will learn a lot in the first game between these two Texas teams.

77. . 44-20. Previous: 3rd. Los Angeles Clippers. 4. team

It has been a tough week for the LA Clippers during the inaction. For a team that is looking for consistency and has struggled to establish a rhythm so far this season, they could ill-afford any setbacks in that regard.

Seeing Montrezl Harrell, Lou Williams and Patrick Beverly leave the bubble would certainly qualify as a setback. Lou Williams is especially troubling given his apparent dalliances at a gentleman’s club when he was supposed to be leaving the bubble for an emergency. At least Ivica Zubac has finally joined the team.

These losses will thrust Reggie Jackson and Joakim Noah into bigger roles than the team ever intended. Despite a solid outing in their scrimmages, relying on Noah is not something the Clippers should plan to do.

Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will still be enough to beat plenty of teams in the bubble,  but any extended absences will be crippling. The team is one of the few with two games in the first three days, playing on opening night against the Lakers before taking on the Pelicans. If any of these players can return to the bubble before these games, LA should be able to do well.

But giving players like Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Zion Williamson openings when not at full strength is less than ideal.