Are the Raptors good enough to return to the Finals? The Lakers’ stars and role players need to improve significantly to make a deep run in the playoffs. The former Raptors guard scored 27 points on 10-16 shooting vs. New Orleans, and he dropped 30 against Philadelphia on Aug. 3. We should remain patient with Mitchell, who’s had the burden of leading a playoff team for three straight seasons. Ameer Tyree takes you through his rankings after the second week in Orlando. The Clippers have the deepest rotation in the West. DeRozan’s days leading a winner are likely in the rearview mirror. Oklahoma City’s trio of guards can at least battle Houston’s dynamic backcourt. The Mavericks probably won’t move up or down in the standings and don’t have anything to prove. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Frank Vogel may be smart to shut James down before the postseason begins. He’s looking slim and quick, and his step-back is back to its familiar form. Early 2020 Big Ten basketball preview: Power rankings and returning players New, 3 comments Here’s what the Big Ten might look like with star players opting to return to school. DeRozan has received plenty of criticism in recent years, and his scoring prowess feels underrated. Doncic dropped 40 against Phoenix on Aug. 2, and he logged just the 11th 30-20-10 game in NBA history two nights later. Never change, Jimmy Butler. Khris Middleton is the better player. Team USA 2020 Team USA 2020; NBA History NBA ... NBA Power Rankings: A shake-up in the top 5 as playoff matchups take shape. Taylor Jenkins has a plethora of options for his rotation, especially in the backcourt. We’re down to the last week of the seeding round before the playoffs begin on Monday, August 17th. Sluggish performances aren’t exactly reason for worry in Orlando, but injury concerns certainly are. But the Celtics have the scheme and the long wings to make things work. About as well as expected. 4. The defending champs have looked solid since their blowout loss to the Celtics. The Rockets are still a notch below the Los Angeles juggernauts. Toronto Raptors (50-19, 4-1) The defending champs have looked solid since their blowout loss to the Celtics. NBA Bleacher Report's Top 100 Player Rankings from the 2019-20 NBA Season Andy Bailey and Dan Favale Featured Columnist I July 11, 2020 Comments Allen only adds to the choices at Jenkins’ disposal.Philadelphia’s stint in Orlando has mirrored the frustration that’s plagued the team throughout 2019-20. The Thunder have won two of three matchups vs. Houston, including a five-point win at the Toyota Center on Jan. 20. Saturday’s fourth quarter should give Utah fans confidence in Mitchell’s ability to bring Utah over the top sometime in the next decade.I remain skeptical of the Mavericks’ chances against the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs, though we shouldn’t let a potentially-early exit take away from Luka Doncic’s outstanding performance in Orlando.
No player in the league can score at every level as he can (46.9% shooting, 36.6% on 3-pointers) while also being the best lockdown defender against other elite players. Clark has solid stretch from beyond the arc, and he’s a lanky defender. They’ve started to rest Although the Bucks have lost two of their last three games, A failure to reach the playoffs once again in 2020-21 will reflect far more on Sacramento’s front office than De’Aaron Fox.The Nets could very well make two poor coaching decisions within a year if they part ways with Jacque Vaughn before the 2020-21 season. Check out How has the Wizards’ stint in Orlando gone? But the tread on his tires have shown in two seasons with the Lakers.
But the Bucks point guard remains critical to their Finals hopes. I’ll pass on the panic. The Celtics held Pascal Siakam to just 15 points on 15 shots, and the Raptors went 4-27 from deep in the first three quarters. Player of the Seeding Games August 11, 2020 … He’s also largely a known entity. So where do things stand as we approach this weekend's play-in games?© 2020 ABG-SI LLC. The Clippers are seriously limping into the postseason after giving up 129 points to the Skeleton Nets on Sunday, but should we really worry about Los Angeles’ postseason chances? The absence of The only undefeated team in the bubble deserves some respect. The Thunder are unlikely to be Houston’s preferred opponent in the first round.
The Blazers point guard is one of the most prolific three-point shooters in NBA history, and his ability in the clutch is matched by few, if any, players across the league. Boston still lurks as a Finals contender.James Harden’s shooting struggles before the COVID-19 suspension appear to have been more of a random blip than a sign of things to come.