NBA Bubble Power Rankings 2: More games, more change

Last Week: Beat Memphis 109-99, Lost to Sacramento 140-125, Beat Washington 118-107
This Week: Sunday vs. San Antonio, Tuesday vs. Sacramento, Thursday vs. Orlando

Despite two wins and still being in contention for the playoffs, the focus for the New Orleans Pelicans has clearly shifted. The management of Zion Williamson’s minutes from the start should have tipped everyone off to the fact that the Pelicans felt that way.

The loss to the Clippers last week was understandable. Facing a title favorite coming off a loss is never a good position to be in. The loss to the struggling Kings is more mystifying. Defense is a killer and letting up 140 points to a team like Sacramento is part of a path to find yourself going home.

Williamson has looked special when he has been on the court, at least on the offensive end. Brandon Ingram has also been a mostly-effective scorer. The lack of consistent help, especially in close games, has been the teams undoing. Lonzo Ball, who has been much better this season from the perimeter, has shot a frigid 22.7 percent from long range.

The lobs are there and this is giving vibes of the early Lob City Clippers days. The team is not ready to contend but the potential as development comes is clear. Even if the team does not make the playoffs, the reps are helpful. Getting Williamson’s body right is even more important.

Last Week: Lost to San Antonio 108-106, Lost to New Orleans 109-99, Lost to Utah 124-115, Beat Oklahoma City 121-92
This Week: Sunday vs. Toronto, Tuesday vs. Boston, Thursday vs. Milwaukee

The Memphis Grizzlies finally got their first win to end the week, but overall this was a terrible week for the franchise. Jaren Jackson, Jr. got injured in their third bubble game, but Memphis had already taken losses to the Spurs and the Pelicans, two teams chasing their spot.

The Grizzlies have played tough in every game so far but that was not good enough until the big win Friday against what was a rolling Thunder team. Oklahoma City was without starting center Steven Adams but that does not remove how important this win was for Memphis.

Had they lost the game, they would have fallen into a tie with the Trail Blazers and opened the door for the chance that one of the other teams chasing would have been able to pass them for ninth. The Grizzlies still have control over whether or not they finish with a chance to play their way into the playoffs should they use this win against the Thunder as a momentum builder.

They have the toughest remaining schedule in the bubble but that only matter if the teams are putting out their full lineups. Playing against the Celtics, Raptors and Bucks at full strength would be a death sentence for the team. If they take their foot off the gas in any way, however, the Grizzlies have a chance. They have been one of the most disappointing teams in the bubble thus far but they may have a chance yet if rookie phenom Ja Morant (averaging 15.8 points, 9.2 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game in the restart) has anything to say about it.