NBA Power Rankings Week 21: Are the Sixers the best bet to win it all?

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

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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

14. Miami Heat

Last Week: Beat Boston Celtics 130-124, Beat Boston Celtics 129-121, Beat Philadelphia 76ers 106-94, Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 122-108, Beat Detroit Pistons 120-107

Over/Under Projection; Guess/Result: 43; Over; Wrong

The Miami Heat have looked better over recent weeks, portending some level of success in the playoffs. The recent surge the team has been on was enough for them to lock in the sixth seed for the playoffs, avoiding the play-in and allowing their star players to get some rest going into a first-round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.

This season the matchup does not bode as well for the Heat but that should not change their level of confidence. The Heat have built a culture based on winning and trying harder than everyone else. That was pretty clear when Udonis Haslem played his first minutes of the season against the Philadelphia 76ers and got himself ejected.

The Heat are not the team they were in the bubble last season but they are still a threat in the postseason if the shots are falling at a respectable level. Jimmy Butler has a real chance to make an All-NBA team and Bam Adebayo is not far behind him. Tyler Herro is slowly starting to get healthy and on track. If Herro is one of those players that only saves the best for the postseason then perhaps that will be enough to get them past the Bucks.