NBA Bubble Power Rankings 2: More games, more change

Last Week: Beat Miami 107-103, Beat Orlando 109-99, Lost to Boston 122-100
This Week: Sunday vs. Memphis, Monday vs. Milwaukee, Wednesday vs. Philadelphia, Friday vs. Denver

Before the game against Boston, the Toronto Raptors had been easily the most impressive team in the restart thus far. They had beaten the Lakers, Heat and Magic and were showing that they were ready to defend their title.

The Celtics may have shaken some people with their domination of the Raptors, but there is no reason to get carried away. Toronto is a legitimate threat to everyone in the league. They are second in defensive rating in the league and are a top-five 3-point shooting team.

Being outside of the top 10 in offensive rating could be problematic for some, but that the long-range shooting is an important factor to note here. Given that Milwaukee gives up the most shots from distance (while being elite defensively everywhere else) this is a match up the Raptors have a reason to be confident in.

If there is one Raptor in particular that has caught the eyes of the unaware, it is Fred VanVleet. While he was a heroic sixth man last year, this year he is a stud starter for a team that is happy to let him take over offensively. So far in Orlando, he is averaging 20.8 points, 7.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. This gives the Raptors three offensive hubs surrounded by solid role players that can carry them in any match up. They are built to beat the Bucks. It will be interesting to see if that comes to pass.

Last Week: Lost to Phoenix 117-115, Beat Dallas 126-111, Beat Portland 122-117
This Week: Sunday vs. Brooklyn, Wednesday vs. Denver, Thursday vs. Oklahoma City

It is time to go with what the masses have been saying for most of the season. The LA Clippers look to be the best team in the league and they may have been toying with everyone the whole time. As they continue to get pieces back, they will only get stronger.

The loss to Phoenix came on a miracle shot by Devin Booker and is almost understandable with how hot the Suns have been in the bubble. LA proceeded to blitz the Mavericks, their likely first-round opponent. Not pursuing the top seed may have worked out well for them. The matchup against the Mavericks is much more favorable compared to the Blazers, should they get there.

That being said, the Clippers proceeded to take care of the Blazers without Kawhi Leonard, Montrezl Harrell and Patrick Beverly. Doc Rivers went the final five minutes of the game with a reserve lineup to see how it would work in a playoff scenario, leaving Paul George on the bench for load management. This was a game the Blazers desperately needed and the reserves of the Clippers took it anyway.

With the reports that Harrell is expected to reach the bubble as the seeding games are ending and the hopes that Beverly will be back in time for the start of the playoffs, things are truly looking up for the Clippers. This team is elite and has a stunning amount of depth. It may be their title to lose.