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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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

team. 79. . 40-27. Previous: 11th. Dallas Mavericks. 11

Jumping right back into the thick of things when the season starts, the Dallas Mavericks open up the return to play with their cross-state rival, the Houston Rockets. The teams have split the two meetings so far, so we will focus on the Mavericks win in this section.

Back in November, Dallas went into Houston and won by 14. Tim Hardaway Jr., Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis combined for 94 points, paving the way for what has been a tremendous offensive season for the team. Doncic in particular was incredible. Starting his early-season MVP campaign, he went for 41 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

Dallas has cooled to a more reasonable pace over the last few months, playing mostly .500 basketball, but they match up favorably with the Rockets. They are one of a few teams that can punish the lack of size that Houston possesses. Watching Doncic and Harden clash should be a beautiful clash of styles.

team. 149. . 40-24. Previous: 12th. Oklahoma City Thunder. 10

The Oklahoma City Thunder are ready to play spoiler. They even get the minor luck of getting to face the Jazz when they already have a game under their belt. The Thunder are gritty and find the majority of their success by exploiting the other teams’ weaknesses.

As the team with the best record in the NBA since Thanksgiving, it should be no surprise to see the Thunder this high on the list. It is rarely pretty and not often exciting but they get results. If the Jazz struggle as much as some expect with the loss of Bojan Bogdanovic, Oklahoma City could cause their season to spiral quickly.

While it has been a common criticism of Chris Paul for years that he has not succeeded in the playoffs, some fans may be surprised to know that he is the number one player in clutch stats this season.

He will give his best when it counts the most and anyone facing the Thunder should be afraid of this team. What they lack in overall depth they make up for with an elite starting unit.