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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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NBA, Sixers (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2. Brooklyn Nets

Last Week: Beat Chicago Bulls 115-107, Beat San Antonio Spurs 128-116, Beat Chicago Bulls 105-91, Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 123-109

Over/Under Projection; Guess/Result: 45; Over; Right

The Brooklyn Nets look to be healthy and ready to use their first-round series to get on the same page for the first time in months. The historical trio of offense dynamos all posted special (if brief) seasons and will now be facing the winner of Boston and Washington in the first round of the postseason to get ready for a potential title run.

First, Kyrie Irving is the ninth player all-time to shoot at least 50 percent from the field (50.6), 40 percent from distance (40.2) and 90 percent from the line (92.2) for the entire season. He did this while posting a line of 26.9 points, 6.0 assists 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Irving is the most likely member of the team to make it to an All-NBA team while being the third-best player on the roster.

No team in the league will be able to duplicate the offensive firepower the Brooklyn Nets will bring to the table. Kevin Durant and James Harden are two of the most effective scorers of their generation and Harden is chasing his first ring. The Brooklyn Nets are the betting favorites for the championship right now and with good reason but their path to the top is slightly more challenging than the final number one team.