With back-to-back losses to the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers, the Philadelphia 76ers endured their first losing streak of the season last week, so naturally they fell a bit in the national NBA power rankings.
Despite the two losses, the Sixers had an impressive comeback victory against the Lakers on Monday and held the fourth best offensive in the league, the Clippers, to a season-low 78 points. At 19-9 they're tied for the fifth best record in the NBA and third best in the Eastern Conference. See how far they dropped in the power rankings after the jump.
John Schuhmann, NBA.com - 6th (3rd in East)
The Sixers went 4-3 in that stretch against seven of the best teams in the league, with the highlight being Monday's thrilling victory over the Lakers. They're legit, but one concern is that they were outrebounded by 45 over the seven games. Now, as they head to the break, they're getting their road legs tested.
Tom Ziller, SB Nation - 9th (3rd in East)*
Reviving the spirit of Elton Brand, the greatest Duke product ever, is worth mad bonus points. Lou Williams giving a would-be armed robber a Big Mac takes it to another level.
Chris Sheridan, Sheridan Hoops - 6th (3rd in East)
Excruciating loss to the Clippers as late game execution was horrendous. In a stretch of playing seven of eight on the road, lone home game is against Mavericks, and Mark Cuban will be mercilessly heckled if he attends. Sixers fans beat out Pistons supporters as most venomous, IMO. Not to look too far ahead, but they will be $20 million under the cap if they amnesty Elton Brand over the summer. If that's not in plans, this trade makes some sense for both teams.
John Hollinger, ESPN - 4th (3rd in the East)
Marc Stein, ESPN - 6th (3rd in the East)
The Sixers are still waiting for their first 20-point win of the month, but they still share the league lead in that category -- tied with Chicago with eight -- and still boast one of the East's top three records despite the fact their February schedule is so much tougher than their January schedule was.
*Tom Ziller did a special Valentine's Day edition of the power rankings, ranking the NBA teams in terms of lovability. These aren't factored into the composite ranking.
Composite: 5.5 (3rd in East)
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