NBA bubble breakdown: Pacers' T.J. Warren continues torrid start on Day 6 of play in Orlando
We've completed six days of play in the NBA bubble, and there's been no shortage of surprises in the restarted season.
Contenders like the league-best Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics, and the Los Angeles Clippers are all just 1-2 since the restart. There's just two 3-0 teams: The Phoenix Suns, battling for the eighth spot in the West, and the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers being undefeated so far isn't totally surprising, as they were solidly in a playoff spot when the season was halted in March. But they are without All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis due to injury. Without him, though, the team has been buoyed by an unlikely source who has been the bubble's biggest breakout star: forward T.J. Warren.
He poured in 32 points Tuesday in Indiana's victory over the Orlando Magic, his third straight game with at least 30 points after he opened with a bubble-high 53 vs. the Philadelphia 76ers then pumped in 34 against the Washington Wizards.
His 119-point total for the three games in the bubble is tied for the most by any Pacers player over a three-game span. Jermaine O'Neal also scored 119 points over three consecutive games in 2005.
Warren is doing it efficiently, too. He's shooting 65% from the field (47-for-72), 61% from 3 (14-for-23).
He's always been a solid player (15.4 points per game average over six seasons), perhaps even underrated – he was part of a three-team trade last offseason that saw the Suns effectively move him for cash – but it's fair to say he's never stolen the show quite like this.
"I'm really picking my spots," Warren said, per the Indianapolis Star. "It's an all-around team effort. I'm just doing my part. It's what I'm capable of doing"
Tuesday's games
Nets 119, Bucks 116: Brooklyn was a big underdog but got a crucial win, though Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton were held out in the second half. The defeat prevented Milwaukee from wrapping up the East's No. 1 seed.
Mavericks 114, Kings 110 (OT): Luka Doncic had a ridiculous 34-20-12 triple-double as Dallas got its first win in the bubble.
Suns 117, Clippers 115: Devin Booker hit a jumper at the buzzer as Phoenix improved to a surprising 3-0 in the bubble.
Pacers 120, Magic 109: Behind another great performance from Warren, the Pacers improved to 3-0 in the bubble.
Heat 112, Celtics 106: Jimmy Butler was out of the lineup due to ankle soreness but the Heat scored collectively with Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson each recording 21 points and Goran Dragic adding 20.
Trail Blazers 110, Rockets 102: Portland picked up a monster victory as it seeks to sneak into the playoffs, sealing the game late with Carmelo Anthony's 3-pointer.
Wednesday's schedule
All times Eastern. All games available on League Pass.
- Grizzlies vs. Jazz, 2:30 p.m.
- 76ers vs. Wizards, 4 p.m. (NBA TV)
- Nuggets vs. Spurs, 4 p.m.
- Thunder vs. Lakers, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Raptors vs. Magic, 8 p.m.
- Nets vs. Celtics, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
State of the playoff race
The Wizards' extremely faint playoff hopes are essentially dashed with the Nets' victory over the Bucks as the battle in the East becomes about seeding. Brooklyn jumped a half-game ahead of Orlando for the No. 7 seed with Tuesday's victory.
The West remains far more intriguing, as Portland's victory moved the Blazers 1½ games back of the Grizzlies, who found out Tuesday star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. will be shut down for the season. The Spurs are a half-game behind the Blazers, with the Pelicans a half-game behind them and the bubble-unbeaten Suns a half-game behind New Orleans. There's still plenty of room for movement in the middle seeds, too, with the Rockets and Jazz sitting at 4 and 5 with identical records, and the Thunder a half-game behind at No. 6.
Essential reading
LOU WILL'S REGRETS: Clippers guard discusses now-infamous trip to Magic City
MPJ: Nuggets are relying on Michael Porter Jr., but rookie's journey has growing pains
'MY PRESIDENT AND MY FRIEND': LeBron wishes Barack Obama a happy birthday
'I THINK IT STINKS': Brett Brown calls out Sixers defense
BURNING QUESTIONS: Best in the West? What's at stake for Bucks?
PREDICTIONS: Our picks for 2020 season awards and NBA champion