The NBA 'Bubble' Seeding-Game Awards

The NBA ‘Bubble’ Seeding-Game Awards

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: T.J. Warren #1 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against Al Horford #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at the Visa Athletic Center in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 1, 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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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 04: Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts with Jusuf Nurkic #27 during the second half against the Houston Rockets at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 04, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Sixth Man of the Bubble: Gary Trent Jr., Portland Trail Blazers

With Trevor Ariza opting out of the season restart, the Portland Trail Blazers appeared woefully thin on the wing behind starting small forward Carmelo Anthony.

Until Gary Trent Jr. turned into a human flamethrower, that is.

During the Blazers’ overtime win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their opening game, Trent buried four triples and finished with 17 points in 26 minutes. Two nights later, he poured in a career-high seven 3-pointers and finished with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting in a close loss against the Boston Celtics.

Trent didn’t cool off from there, either. He chipped in 16 points and four 3-pointers against the Houston Rockets, 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting (7-of-10 from deep) against the Denver Nuggets and 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting (6-of-10 from deep) in a painful loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Duke product mustered only five points on 2-of-8 shooting (1-of-6 from 3) in a close win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, but All-Star point guard Damian Lillard bailed out the Blazers in that one. Even with that game factored in, though, Trent is averaging 18.0 points on 53.7 percent shooting and 56.9 percent (!) from downtown in six bubble games.

If the Blazers end up making the playoffs, the Sixth Man of the Bubble will be a huge reason why.

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