NBA Power Rankings Week 20: Philadelphia 76ers streaking

NBA Power Rankings Week 20: Philadelphia 76ers streak in the penultimate week

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react in front of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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NBA, 76ers (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

18. Charlotte Hornets

Last Week: Lost to Miami Heat 121-111, Beat Detroit Pistons 102-99, Lost to Chicago Bulls 120-99, Beat Orlando Magic 122-112

This Week: 5/9 vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 5/11 vs. Denver Nuggets, 5/13 vs. LA Clippers, 5/15 at New York Knicks, 5/16 at Washington Wizards

As the final week of the season is about to begin, the Charlotte Hornets will be doing what they can to stay out of the play-in tournament. They are the eighth seed as the week ends but they are within striking distance of the sixth-place Miami Heat. Their schedule this week, however, is daunting.

The Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers and New York Knicks will all be playing to secure a favorable seed in the postseason, meaning they are likely to be playing to win the game. On the final day of the season, the Hornets will face off against the charging Washington Wizards, who suddenly have a chance to catch the Hornets.

Truthfully Charlotte has not locked their place in the play-in of yet, but with a five-game cushion on the 11th placed Chicago Bulls with five games to go that result feels academic. Unfortunately, the Hornets have lost Miles Bridges at a brutal time, just as LaMelo Ball and Malik Monk had returned to the court. Ball is staking his claim for the Rookie of the Year, averaging 17.0 points, 6.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game over the last week. If he can finish off the playoff push for his team that may just be enough to lock the award down.