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NBA Power Rankings: Final bubble edition

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While the NBA's bubble presents unique circumstances for all teams involved, it's worth remembering that, outside of conditioning, the seeding games aren't a top priority for teams that have already clinched postseason berths.

Still, some squads have looked better than others. Here's the final installation of power rankings for this unprecedented regular season.

1. Toronto Raptors (50-19)

A listless loss to the Boston Celtics aside, the Raptors are the hottest team in the bubble following wins over the Lakers and Heat. The reigning champs continue to agitate opponents defensively with their on-ball pressure, length, and versatility.

2. Milwaukee Bucks (55-15)

The Bucks have clinched the East's top spot and didn't even bother playing Giannis Antetoukounmpo or Khris Middleton in the second half against the Nets last week. Monday's matchup with the Raptors will be interesting.

3. Los Angeles Lakers (51-18)

It hasn't exactly been smooth sailing for the Lakers inside the bubble, with three of their four losses coming by double digits. Los Angeles also owns the second-lowest net rating among the 22 teams competing in Orlando.

4. Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)

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Regardless of where the Clippers finish in the standings, they'll enter the postseason with confidence after a high-profile endorsement: They're Kevin Durant's pick to beat the Bucks in the NBA Finals.

5. Boston Celtics (47-23)

Even with Kemba Walker not yet fully healthy, the Celtics' offense has been dominant in Orlando. Boston's offensive rating of 119.2 points per 100 possessions ranks second-highest since the restart began.

6. Houston Rockets (44-25)

While the Rockets' small-ball approach is grabbing most of the attention, Houston is also receiving solid scoring contributions from journeymen Jeff Green and Ben McLemore.

7. Denver Nuggets (46-24)

Michael Porter Jr.'s emergence has come at a key time for the Nuggets. After dropping 37 points and 12 rebounds on the Thunder last week, he followed that with 30 points and a career-best 15 boards against the Spurs on Wednesday.

8. Miami Heat (43-27)

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The Heat solidified their status as contenders with a pair of impressive performances without star Jimmy Butler. Miami defeated the Celtics on Tuesday, and the East-leading Bucks needed to rally from 23 down against the Heat.

9. Oklahoma City Thunder (43-26)

Last Wednesday, the Thunder hammered the Lakers by 19. Two days later, the Grizzlies routed them by 29. Oklahoma's playoff berth is locked up, and they could be dangerous depending on the matchup.

10. Philadelphia 76ers (42-28)

The 76ers must reinvent themselves offensively during Ben Simmons' indefinite absence. With Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris as the focal points, floor spacers Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton need to deliver in larger roles.

11. Utah Jazz (43-27)

Any lingering animosity between Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert looks to have subsided after just over a week in the bubble. The Jazz haven't been perfect, but the pair's cohesion is a good sign entering the playoffs.

12. Indiana Pacers (43-27)

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T.J. Warren can't maintain his ridiculous scoring production for the Pacers, right? The forward is surprising everyone while averaging 34.8 points per game and leading all scorers inside the bubble.

13. Dallas Mavericks (42-30)

The Mavericks clinched their first postseason spot since 2015-16, but they're still struggling to close out games. The Mavs' offense has often faltered down the stretch, and the club has squandered double-digit leads in each of its opening two contests in the bubble.

14. Portland Trail Blazers (33-39)

Jusuf Nurkic has looked incredible in his return from injury, and Carmelo Anthony has turned back the clock with some big clutch shots. If they sneak into the playoffs, the Blazers will be the lower seed that no contender wants to meet.

15. San Antonio Spurs (31-38)

Derrick White has done a phenomenal job keeping the Spurs in the mix for the West's eighth seed. The third-year guard is capitalizing on an increase in minutes since the restart, and he now looks to be one of San Antonio's best all-around stars.

16. Phoenix Suns (31-39)

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The only undefeated squad in the bubble, and the team with the second-best net rating of the clubs involved? The Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker and Co. are providing the NBA's best example of why teams not inside the top eight were included in the restart.

17. Memphis Grizzlies (33-38)

The Grizzlies dropped their first four contests of the restart, but they remain in a good position to secure a playoff berth. Unfortunately, rising star Jaren Jackson Jr. has been ruled out for the season due to an injury.

18. Orlando Magic (32-39)

Amway Center, the Magic's usual home arena, is located a mere 15 miles from the NBA bubble. Unfortunately, Orlando hasn't benefitted from an unofficial home-court advantage while playing sub-.500 basketball through five seeding games.

19. New Orleans Pelicans (30-40)

The Pelicans were eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday, and they've played poorly. It's still strange that Zion Williamson didn't play crunch-time minutes in the Pels' restart opener loss to the Jazz.

20. Sacramento Kings (29-41)

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De'Aaron Fox's best stretch wasn't enough to get the Kings into a play-in game for the West's final playoff spot. The third-year guard scored a career-high 39 points against the Spurs in the Kings' first restart game, and he's done a tremendous job of facilitating the club's offense.

21. Brooklyn Nets (34-36)

The "Bubble Nets" have performed better than expected in Orlando after beginning the restart without a major chunk of their regular roster. They're going to the playoffs, and will likely be seeded seventh. But virtually no one expects them to be anything more than a first-round sacrificial lamb.

22. Washington Wizards (24-46)

Thanks for coming out. Without Bradley Beal and John Wall, it was always going to be tough for the Wizards. They were eliminated from playoff contention on Friday after going 0-6 in the bubble.

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