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) /

9. Atlanta Hawks

Last Week: Beat Portland Trail Blazers 123-114, Beat Phoenix Suns 135-103, Lost to Indiana Pacers

This Week: 5/10 vs. Washington Wizards, 5/12 vs. Washington Wizards, 5/13 vs. Orlando Magic, 5/16 vs. Houston Rockets

As the Atlanta Hawks prepare for the postseason, health is the question on the tip of their minds. Bogdan Bogdanovic has been on a tear over the last month and with the return of DeAndre Hunter on the horizon, Atlanta is a realistic threat to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

The reality of the situation for the Hawks is that the team is much better when Trae Young is not the best player on the court. He is the star of the team but Bogdanovic has been a more effective scoring threat over their surge. Young has averaged more points per game (24.1 points vs. 17.5 points) but Bogdanovic shot 47.9 percent from the floor and 44.7 percent from long range. Allowing Young to function as a playmaker with scoring around him has opened up a world of possibilities for the Hawks.

Since coach Nate McMillan took over the team the Hawks have had the eighth-most effective offense in the league. If the standings hold where they are at this point they will be going up against the New York Knicks and their elite defense. As daunting as their defense is, this is the matchup the Hawks should be pushing for to get out of the first round.