NBA Power Rankings Week 15: The Denver Nuggets excel in March

Mar 30, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) reacts with center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Facundo Campazzo (7) during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

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NBA, Denver Nuggets (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

93. . 34-15. Previous: 3rd. Philadelphia 76ers. 5. team

Last Week: Lost to Denver Nuggets 104-95, Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 114-94, Beat Minnesota Timberwolves 122-113

This Week: 4/4 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 4/6 at Boston Celtics, 4/9 at New Orleans Pelicans, 4/10 at Oklahoma City Thunder

Watching the Philadelphia 76ers weather the storm during the absence of Joel Embiid is the best case that the team is a title contender yet. As the presumed MVP favorite sat on the sideline Philadelphia the rest of the Sixers won seven of their 10 games and have stayed at the top of the Eastern Conference.

During that stretch, it was a team effort holding down the fort. Five Sixers averaged double figures in scoring, led by Tobias Harris. The man who should have been an All-Star averaged 21.6 points6.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game on shooting splits of .524/.423/.943 over the stretch. Various role players have shown the ability to function in Doc Rivers system, including Tony Bradley (now in Oklahoma City), Paul Reed and Furkan Korkmaz.

Embiid came back last night and looked like his pre-injury self. In 29 minutes he posted a line of 24 points, eight rebounds, two assists and three blocks. If he can remain healthy the rest of the way the Sixers will be the biggest threat in the Conference to the Brooklyn Nets. As good as the Nets are on offense, they do not have anyone who can make life tough for Embiid. That is the matchup basketball fans deserve.

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