NBA Week 12 Power Rankings: Questions for each team after the break

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center on January 05, 2021 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Jazz 130-96. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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93. . 26-12. Previous: 3rd. Philadelphia 76ers. 3. team

Last Week: Beat Chicago Bulls 127-105, Beat Washington Wizards 127-101

This Week: 3/14 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 3/16 vs. New York Knicks, 3/17 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 3/20 vs. Sacramento Kings

Question: Can the Philadelphia 76ers tread water with Joel Embiid out for the next few weeks?

Watching Joel Embiid fall to the ground clutching his knee was heartrending for Philadelphia 76ers fans who were finally getting the chance to revel in the reality of MVP Embiid. The news that there is no structural damage is certainly a relief but losing out on Embiid for the next two to three weeks at a minimum is still less than ideal.

As of this writing, the Brooklyn Nets are only half a game behind the Sixers. The Bucks are only two games behind them. Homecourt advantage matters for the Sixers more than most teams. They are only a game above .500 on the road and a dominant 16-3 at home. Losing out on that advantage during any possible postseason series could be crippling.

So far this season, the Sixers have played nine games without Embiid and they are 2-7. Some of those games have come without Ben Simmons. Furthermore, a few came when the team was wracked with health and safety issues so to date the sample size is truly indeterminant. Regardless, the next few weeks will likely decide the fate of the Sixers title hopes this year.