76ers Labeled NBA Power Ranking’s Biggest Mover

joel-embiid-bold-statement-dunk-contest

With the reigning Most Valuable Player back in the mix, the Philadelphia 76ers are finding consistent success once again.

As a result, the Sixers have been labeled CBS Sports’ biggest movers on their recent power rankings as the regular season concludes.

A seven-spot difference won’t push the Sixers back into the top ten, but they are close. Ranked 12th, behind the LA Lakers, and in front of the Golden State Warriors, the Sixers are trending in the right direction at the right time.

“Joel Embiid is back … Tyrese Maxey dropped a career-high 52 points in Sunday’s double-overtime win over the Spurs … They’ve won five games in a row. Spirits are high right now with the 76ers. Beating the Spurs without Embiid gave a significant boost to the Sixers’ efforts to get out of the Play-In. By the way, the big man hasn’t missed a beat, averaging 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes per game since his return.”

The Sixers aren’t clear on whether or not they are playoff-bound at this time. Many scenarios could have the Sixers landing in the fifth or sixth seeds if all goes right. In a worst-case scenario, the Sixers will fight for the seventh or eighth seed via the NBA Play-In Tournament.

With Embiid back in the mix, the Sixers pose as a dangerous dark horse in the Eastern Conference. Prior to Embiid’s setback, the Sixers were one of the best teams in the NBA, placing within the top three of the conference alongside the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks.

When Embiid suffered a meniscus injury, which required surgery and an eight-week recovery period, Philly slid down the ranks, going as low as eighth place.