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NBA Bubble Power Rankings 2: More games, more change

By Corey Rausch

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 08: LA Clippers players celebrate their victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 8, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 08: LA Clippers players celebrate their victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 8, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images) /

Indiana Pacers. 8. team. 100. . 43-27. Previous: 11th

Last Week: Beat Washington 111-100, Beat Orlando 120-109, Lost to Phoenix 114-99, Beat the Lakers 116-111
This Week: Monday vs. Miami, Wednesday vs. Houston, Friday vs. Miami

For anyone who thought the first TJ Warren game was just going to be a flash in the pan, this week has been quite the wake-up call. Warren has gone off for more than 30 in four of his five games in the bubble. After averaging just 18.7 points per game before the season paused, he has jumped all the way up to 34.8 points per game in Disney. Even better, he is doing his scoring more efficiently and taking on tough defensive assignments.

Against the Lakers on Saturday, he was primarily tasked with guarding Anthony Davis. Davis had his worst game in the bubble so far. If this is the TJ Warren the Indiana Pacers can look forward to more often, their destiny as a franchise changes pretty quickly.

This week should be even more fun for the blooming star. Warren had a dust-up earlier this season with the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler in particular. Since then, their next meeting was circled on the calendar for fans in the know. They meet twice this week to finish out the bubble. If Butler is in the lineup, get ready for fireworks.

Either way, Indiana is clearly cementing themselves in the playoff picture. It will come down to the wire if they finish ahead of Miami in the standings. While it matters little who is the fourth or fifth seed with no home-court advantage, these two teams are all about pride. These games will be fun.

46-23. Previous: 8th. Boston Celtics. 7. team. 18.

Last Week: Beat Portland 128-124, Lost to Miami 112-106, Beat Brooklyn 149-115, Beat Toronto 122-100
This Week: Sunday vs. Orlando, Tuesday vs. Memphis, Thursday vs. Washington

So far, the Boston Celtics seem to be slowly finding their rhythm. Kemba Walker has not been as available as much as they would have hoped. However, after a down first game, Jayson Tatum has more than made up for that.

Since the dud against the Bucks Tatum has averaged 23.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists a game. It is not just Tatum though. This team is playing as a whole more often. Against the Raptors, Boston saw seven players score in double figures. They are growing more into the team that Brad Stevens would want them to be.

They struggle with size and there is no fixing that. The amount of success they have in the postseason will likely come down to matchups more than anything. If they can avoid the Bucks until the very end that will be essential.

If the Sixers continue to be a shell of themselves, that may be a matchup the Celtics desire. If Embiid becomes the dominant force on a daily basis he is capable of being, that is a different story entirely.