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 Harry How/Getty Images) /

6. LA Clippers

Last Week: Beat Toronto Raptors 105-100, Beat Los Angeles Lakers 118-94

This Week: 5/9 vs. New York Knicks, 5/11 at Toronto Raptors, 5/13 at Charlotte Hornets, 5/14 at Houston Rockets, 5/16 at Oklahoma City Thunder

The LA Clippers are being talked about significantly less than they were a season ago, suiting them well going into the final week of the season. The Clippers are ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the three seed at this point, with a slim chance of moving up to the second seed. The schedule that they face this week is the biggest advantage that they have.

Outside of a game against the New York Knicks today, the final week includes three games against teams outside of the play-in and one against the Charlotte Hornets. The Clippers have what it takes to win it all and are starting to play like that more often. Paul George has played like an MVP since the All-Star break and will be given an opportunity to change his reputation in a few short weeks.

Since the deadline, George is averaging 26.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game on shooting splits of .471/.400/.870. While Kawhi Leonard has not played nearly as much time as his fellow All-Star, the pair is ready to make an impact. That being said, their main goal remains out of their control for the most part. The Clippers must avoid the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. Even if the Clippers have been better of late there is a level of buzz that would be almost impossible to overcome, especially for Playoff P.