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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3. Utah Jazz

Last Week: Lost to Golden State Warriors 119-116, Lost to Portland Trail Blazers 105-98, Beat Oklahoma City Thunder 109-93, Beat Sacramento Kings 121-99

Over/Under Projection; Guess/Result: 42; Under; Wrong

The Utah Jazz have been the best team in the league from a record and analytics perspective for much of the season. They have rolled through everyone in the league and end the season with the best record, the fourth-best offensive rating and the third-best defensive rating. They should be the favorite to win the title with that resume, so why are they rated this low?

The road to the top is a brutal one for a team that has fallen early in the postseason with some level of regularity. The most likely scenario is their reward for locking in the best record is playing against the loser of Golden State and Los Angeles, neither of which are anything like the traditional eight seed. Getting past them would earn the Jazz a date with either the Dallas Mavericks or LA Clippers.

The Jazz were the champions of the regular season and will get their accolades for it. Rudy Gobert should be named the Defensive Player of the Year. Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson are likely to be finalists for the Sixth Man of the Year award with one of them winning it. Quin Snyder should be a finalist for Coach of the Year. Now all they have to do is win.