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

By Corey Rausch

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)
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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NBA, 76ers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

17. Miami Heat

Last Week: Beat Charlotte Hornets 121-111, Lost to Dallas Mavericks 127-113, Beat Minnesota Timberwolves 121-112

This Week: 5/9 at Boston Celtics, 5/11 at Boston Celtics, 5/13 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 5/15 at Milwaukee Bucks, 5/16 at Detroit Pistons

The Miami Heat feel like they are going to leave fans lukewarm through whatever the ultimate culmination of their season is. As the penultimate week of the season ends, the Heat are just outside of the play-in, with two important games to start the final stretch. The Heat will face the Boston Celtics twice on the road, which could determine which team has to deal with this season’s newest wrinkle and which team gets to be a spectator.

For months now the Heat have been proclaiming to anyone who will listen that all they have to do is make it into the postseason and the rest will take care of itself. While that did work last year, this season is not in a bubble and Tyler Herro does not look ready to play like an All-Star consistently (though he did on Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves).

Despite this season’s mediocrity, Jimmy Butler has been exceptional. The former All-Star is making a late push to return to an All-NBA team, averaging 21.6 points, 7.2 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. That last number is leading the league, which would be the first time he has led the league in any statistical category. That, as much as the play-in race, will remain worth watching.