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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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
NBA, 76ers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Philadelphia 76ers

Last Week: Beat/OT San Antonio Spurs 113-111, Beat Chicago Bulls 106-94, Beat Houston Rockets 135-115, Beat New Orleans Pelicans 109-107, Beat Detroit Pistons 118-104

This Week: 5/11 at Indiana Pacers, 5/13 at Miami Heat, 5/14 vs. Orlando Magic, 5/16 vs. Orlando Magic

It is easy to forget that the Philadelphia 76ers have been the best team in the Eastern Conference all season long. With one week remaining in the season the Sixers are nursing a 3.5 game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets and have won eight games in a row.

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This has been a concerted team effort led by Joel Embiid to make sure the process that got Philadelphia here was a success. Right now the goal for the Sixers is maintaining the top seed in the Conference and possibly again crossing the 50-win threshold. With two games against the Indiana Pacers as well as a game against the Indiana Pacers there is a chance.

Rest may also be in order. If they can make the gap insurmountable (such as an early win against the Pacers, perhaps the final game or two of the season will give Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons a chance to rest and remain healthy over the push for an NBA championship. Simmons is nursing an injury as is, so a little extra rest will do the potential Defensive Player of the Year some good. As the season gets closer to the end, individual awards are starting to feel more out of reach. At this point, all that matters is the title.

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