76ers Hold No. 3 Spot in Post Power Rankings, Then Win at Charlotte Without LeBron

The Philadelphia 76ers rank third in the New York Post's latest NBA power rankings. That is one spot lower than last week, even though the team keeps winning. Writer Khobi Price ranked Philadelphia at 5-1 and pointed to two wins over the defending champion Knicks in 10 days. He wrote that a core of LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid could make the Sixers "legitimate NBA title contenders." Only the Memphis Grizzlies, the league's last unbeaten team at 5-0, came between Philadelphia and the top spot.

The ranking came out before the Sixers' Saturday game, and that game made their case stronger. Philadelphia won 109-104 at Charlotte with James and Embiid both sitting out, according to ESPN. Maxey scored 38 points on 13-of-23 shooting. Anfernee Simons added 19 off the bench, Brown had 14 and Dean Wade handed out 10 assists. The Big Lead reported that the team listed James for back management and Embiid for foot management. It was the second time this season Nick Nurse has rested both stars on the second night of a back-to-back. James is 41 and in the first season of a two-year deal, and the club has been careful with his minutes.

The other teams near the top of the Post's list help explain the ranking. Detroit, the only team to beat Philadelphia so far (106-93), is fourth. The Knicks, whom the Sixers beat 106-100 in New York and 98-93 at home, fell from third to 17th after a 2-4 start. Oklahoma City dropped from first to sixth after injuries to three starters.

What it means for Monday against Chicago

The Sixers are 6-1 going into Monday's home game against the Chicago Bulls on November 2, streaming on NBA League Pass. ESPN's injury listing projected November 2 as the return date for both James and Embiid. If that holds, Nurse would have his full top group back after a road win that showed the depth behind them.

The numbers show a team winning close games rather than blowing teams out. Philadelphia is averaging about 108.7 points and allowing about 104.9, a margin of roughly four points per game. Five of its six wins came by eight points or fewer. The last three, at Charlotte, against New York and at Indiana, were all decided by exactly five points. The 127-116 win over Milwaukee is the only time the Sixers have topped 115. They are 3-0 on the road and 3-1 at home, and the home loss was to Detroit.

That pattern leaves little margin when the offense stalls. Philadelphia has been held under 100 twice. One of those games was a win over the Knicks and the other was the loss to the Pistons. The defense has kept seven straight opponents under 120, which has kept the Sixers in games when the shots are not falling. A home game against Chicago with both stars expected back is a chance to win more comfortably.

For the full schedule and results, visit our 76ers team page.