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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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Brooklyn Nets
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

147. . 30-34. Previous: 21st. Brooklyn Nets. 21. team

Similar to the Wizards, the Brooklyn Nets are looking at this as an opportunity to see what they can get out of a bunch of young talent before transitioning into contender mode next season. Justin Anderson is getting possibly his last opportunity in the league, even as he is the ninth Net to have tested positive for COVID-19. There are rumblings he may appear as the backup center in Orlando as the team is depleted across the front lines.

This is the perfect example of what the Nets should be trying out. Will it work? Probably not, but what do they have to lose? Going super small like Houston gives them a chance to get weird and get the most out of all the young talent.

All this talk of small ball aside, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert will be the focus in Orlando. After Allen had moved to the bench, some were critical of the Nets for not focusing on their young core. They will not be able to avoid it now.

Speaking of Orlando, that will be Brooklyn’s first opponent in the bubble in Florida. Aaron Gordon has looked good so far in the little we have seen from the scrimmages. No matter what, this will be one of the more important games for the Nets during the restart.

As they hope to stay in the playoffs, getting wins against the teams they are racing against is essential. The Nets currently only have a half-game lead for the seventh seed so this is hugely important. The Nets have played the Magic twice this season, losing both.

Whether you like their chances in this one game, watching the product the Nets put on the court will be fascinating. They have been depleted by everything going on but will hope new additions Tyler Johnson, Jamal Crawford and Lance Thomas can help close the gap.

26-39. Previous: 19th. Phoenix Suns. 20. team. 66.

The Phoenix Suns were already operating on a razor-thin margin for error given how far out of the race they are even before it starts. Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes confirming positive COVID-19 tests might be that little flaw that ends the slight hopes they had of making a run. Rubio is in the bubble and coming along slowly but there is no confirmation of when Baynes will be joining the team as of yet.

Luckily for the Suns, they get off to the most ideal start of any team, opening against the Wizards. If they are likely to get any wins in the bubble, it may start and end there. This is still all about Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. The previous meeting between these teams this year was a high scoring affair back in November the Wizards won 140-132.

From that meeting, the Wizards will be without Bradley Beal, Isaiah Thomas, Davis Bertans and Jordan McCrae. That is 74 points out of the lineup. Comparing that to this outing seems foolhardy. Booker was efficient and explosive in this meeting and will look to do more of the same. Ayton was not available for this meeting and will be looking to make up for the lost time.