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NBA Power Rankings 18: A new top team as the playoffs approach

By Corey Rausch

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images )
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images ) /
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(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

. 39-21. Previous: 1st. Philadelphia 76ers. 7. team. 93

Last Week: Lost to Golden State Warriors 107-96, Lost to Phoenix Suns 116-113, Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 124-117, Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 132-94

This Week: 4/26 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 4/28 vs. Atlanta Hawks, 4/30 v. Atlanta Hawks

Losing four games in a row is a brutal look for the Philadelphia 76ers, even when three of them come against the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. This slide has caused them to fall a game behind the Brooklyn Nets for the No. 1 seed, which could portend disaster for the postseason.

In the Eastern Conference, it is widely considered to be a three-team race. Getting to only have to play one of the Milwaukee Bucks or Brooklyn Nets could be the difference between the Sixers making a meaningful run and bowing out early. Furthermore, while homecourt advantage in the league has been less of a factor due to limited fan admittance, Philadelphia is one of the few teams in the league that truly need it. They have only lost seven times at home this season, tied with Brooklyn for the second-best mark in the league.

Truth be told, it is tough to take much from the week for the Sixers. Embiid missed one of the games. Tobias Harris missed two of the games and Ben Simmons sat out all of them. More so than ever, this feels like a Sixers team playing things safe and realizing that health will be needed to accomplish their ultimate goal. Last season in the playoffs, they were without Ben Simmons and were summarily dismissed. They do not want to repeat that history.