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NBA Power Rankings Week 21: Are the Philadelphia 76ers the best bet to win it all?

By Corey Rausch

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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NBA, Sixers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NBA, Sixers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

18. Charlotte Hornets

Last Week: Lost to New Orleans Pelicans 112-110, Lost to Denver Nuggets 117-112, Lost to LA Clippers 113-90, Lost/OT to New York Knicks 118-109, Lost to Washington Wizards 115-110

Over/Under Projection; Guess/Result: 26.5; Over; Right

This season was a positive one for the Charlotte Hornets, even if they are limping into the play-in on a five-game losing streak. They have the presumptive Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball, young players Miles Bridges and PJ Washington have made significant progress and Terry Rozier is making the Kemba Walker trade look like a definite win for the Hornets.

Just getting to see Ball in a game with stakes will be a sight to behold. He has struggled to reintegrate himself after returning from injury but finished leading all rookies in assists (6.1) and steals (1.6) while finishing second in points (15.7) and rebounds (5.9) per game. He is a force of nature that helped make the Hornets must watch and helped propel them back to the postseason.

If the Hornets were to get past the Pacers (who they won the season series against) they will have to face the winner of the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards. The Hornets lost two of three against the Celtics and flipped that result against the Hornets. It is not out of the realm of possibility that the Hornets could win two games to get into the final playoff spot but it is unlikely.