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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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
NBA, 76ers (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

12. Washington Wizards

Last Week: Beat Indiana Pacers 154-141, Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 135-134, Beat/OT Toronto Raptors 131-129, Beat/OT Indiana Pacers 133-132

This Week: 5/10 at Atlanta Hawks, 5/12 at Atlanta Hawks, 5/14 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 5/16 vs. Charlotte Hornets

Despite struggling to overtime wins against the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers, the Washington Wizards have to feel good at the present moment. This final week gives two players the chance at individual accolades, the team a chance to climb back to .500 and clinch a spot in the postseason. With the win against the Indiana Pacers to end last week the Wizards moved into ninth, with only a game and a half keeping them out of the eighth seed.

The Wizards have been hot since Russell Westbrook has gotten healthy. In fact, since April 7, they have the best record in the league (15-4), the fifth-best offensive rating (116.5) and the eighth-best defensive rating (110.7). This is not the same team that they were even eight weeks ago and should be considered the favorite to come out of the play-in.

As detailed before, Beal is still in the running for the scoring title and has a four-game slate left that gives him a chance. Russell Westbrook has secured averaging a triple-double for the fourth season of his career and tied the record set by Oscar Robertson for most triple-doubles in history. This week he will likely take the overall lead and will secure his third assists title to boot. This is not your typical below .500 team. Health is finally (mostly) on their side.