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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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(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

. 28-36. Previous: 15th. New Orleans Pelicans. 15. team. 69

The first team on this list with two games this week, the New Orleans Pelicans have a tough week ahead. They open the return of the season against the Utah Jazz. While the Jazz are dealing with injuries of their own they are still more experienced than the young Pels.

After dealing with the Jazz the Pelicans will have to rebound quickly because their second game in the bubble comes against the Clippers. New Orleans has gone 1-2 against both the Clippers and Jazz. Importantly Kawhi Leonard did not play in the game the Pelicans won, but neither did Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball or Zion Williamson.

No matter what, New Orleans is a different team than they were in any of those games. Adding Williamson to this team not only comes with the addition of his play but the improvement that we have seen from Lonzo Ball. Ball is coming into his own in New Orleans, albeit not as noticeably as Brandon Ingram. Ball may not be an All-Star, but he is an expert pass and rebounder for his position. He plays exceptionally well off of Zion and is developing as a three-point shooter, quietly shooting 38.3 percent on 6.5 attempts.

This ranking may look different next week just based on the nature of these opponents. For those saying the Pelicans were getting the easy road, this is quite the first test.

Indiana Pacers. 14. team. 100. . 39-26. Previous: 10th

The Indiana Pacers are facing some tough news that has severely limited their potential in this restart after All-Star Domantas Sabonis’s injury. It was announced that there is no immediate timetable for his return to the lineup due to plantar fasciitis. For a team (and a player) who have taken a step forward this season, this is a tough blow.

With Sabonis not available for Indy’s first game in the bubble, things could start to slide for the Pacers quickly. Indiana kicks off the bubble with the Philadelphia 76ers, the team they are most closely competing with for seeding.

The two teams are currently tied in the standings and the Sixers finally look to be healthy. The Pacers have won two of the three meetings so far this season.

Those are misleading results though as Embiid was not in the lineup for either Pacers win. He looks to be ready and willing to push the Sixers forward so the loss of Sabonis could prove to be even more crippling for a team already trying to work one All-Star back to form in Victor Oladipo.