NBA Bubble Power Rankings 2: More games, more change

Last Week: Lost/OT to Denver 121-113, Beat the Lakers 105-86, Lost to Memphis 121-92
This Week: Sunday vs. Washington, Monday vs. Phoenix, Wednesday vs. Miami, Friday vs. Clippers

While far from a perfect week, the Oklahoma City Thunder did a lot to show how threatening they could be. They were leading much of the game against the Nuggets before Michael Porter, Jr. decided the game was his and led Denver to an overtime win. OKC book-ended the week with a confusing blowout loss to the Grizzlies that felt like the Thunder were fine with living to fight another day.

The positive of the week? An absolute drubbing of the title favorite Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder won by 19 and the game never felt close. The Lakers have been in something of an offensive slump. Against a sound team like the Thunder, you will pay for mistakes like bad shots.

The loss against the Grizzlies can be written off as a team secure in its position without two important players (Steven Adams and Dennis Schroeder). Upon return, both will be key in determining how far they can go in the postseason. If they are both ready to go for the first round of the playoffs, this team has a chance against anyone. If not, it could be a quick end to a nice season.

Last Week: Lost to Toronto 107-103, Beat Boston 112-106, Lost to Milwaukee 130-116, Lost to 119-111
This Week: Monday vs. Miami, Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City, Friday vs. Miami

If the only thing to consider a success in the bubble is a week of results, this was a terrible week for the Miami Heat. They lost three of their four games, most notably blowing a 23-point lead against the Bucks. So why are they not plummeting down the rankings?

Miami was without Jimmy Butler for three games and Goran Dragic for two of them. This led to a lot of Andre Iguodala and Derrick Jones Jr. The fact that they were able to keep these games close against the quality of teams they played without two of their most important players should give confidence to the Heat.

As stated before, they have an enormous week ahead, if for no other reason but the drama. The Heat are all but locked into the fourth or fifth seed. Without home-court advantage, those are essentially the same thing. Funny enough, they will be facing the other team they are locked in that range with: the Indiana Pacers.

The fact that these teams will face each other twice in the final week and then most likely in the first round of the playoffs is a joy. Watching Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren go at each other was fun in the normal regular season. Now Warren is playing like Michael Jordan. The fireworks are about to go off.