NBA Power Rankings Week 15: Concerns for Milwaukee Bucks, other contenders

Last week: Won at Brooklyn 117-111, lost at Toronto 107-95, beat Lakers 108-91

This week: Tuesday vs. Golden State, Thursday at Atlanta, Saturday at Boston

The Philadelphia 76ers bounced back from a loss at Toronto with a blowout victory over the Lakers on Saturday night in prime time, pushing their record to 6-3 since Joel Embiid has been out following surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left hand. For the season, Philadelphia is just 9-7 when Embiid is sidelined, so this latest stretch is encouraging.

Ben Simmons set the tone this week, going for 34 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, five steals and two blocks in Monday’s win at Brooklyn. For the week, he was nearly as ridiculous, averaging 26.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 3.7 steals in 40.5 minutes per game, shooting 80.6 percent (not kidding, 29-for-36) for the week.

Last week: Lost at San Antonio 107-102, beat Sacramento 118-113 (OT), beat Washington 134-129 (OT), lost to Clippers 122-117

This week: Monday vs. Orlando, Tuesday vs. Boston, Saturday at Orlando

The Miami Heat taking their just their second loss at American Airlines Arena this season on Friday felt almost inevitable after the way the Heat struggled to beat the woeful Kings and Wizards earlier in the week. If Miami isn’t unraveling, there are definite signs of fraying — the Heat are just 6-4 over their last 10 games following a 25-10 start.

Bam Adebayo continued to do a little of everything for the Heat, putting up 21 points, 16 rebounds and six assists in the loss at San Antonio last Sunday and averaging 15.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 37.1 minutes per game on the week. Adebayo shot 57.5 percent overall, missing his lone 3-point attempt on the week.