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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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
NBA, 76ers (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

7. Brooklyn Nets

Last Week: Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 117-114, Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 124-118, Lost to Dallas Mavericks 113-109, Beat Denver Nuggets 125-119

This Week: 5/11 at Chicago, 5/12 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 5/15 vs. Chicago Bulls, 5/16 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Mercifully, the Brooklyn Nets ended their four-game losing streak by knocking off the Denver Nuggets and keeping them half a game ahead of the Bucks for the two seed. With four games this week against non-playoff teams the Nets will be hoping to maintain that lead and be healthy for the postseason. This would give them homecourt in the likely second-round series against the Bucks, which could be huge considering they were swept by the Bucks this season.

Health remains the biggest question for the Nets. James Harden has indicated he should be back sometime this week and getting reps with all three All-NBA talents on the court will be essential for them to be ready to potentially go through the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers in a run to the NBA Finals.

The two stars certainly came out for the Nets this week, despite the losing streak. Kyrie Irving averaged 33.5 points, 4.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, pacing the team’s dynamic offense. Kevin Durant was similarly impressive, posting a line of 31.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. If the Nets can get back to basics in the final week of the season and build a streak going into the first round the rest of the league may be back in trouble.