NBA 2018-19: Eastern Conference Power Rankings Week 8

#4) Philadelphia 76ers

New Orleans Pelicans v Philadelphia 76ers

They haven't hit a wall, but Philly have run into some problems lately as Joel Embiid has been the first to admit he hasn't been playing well. Embiid has his best chance to turn his form around this week when the 76ers host Detroit and his greatest rival, Andre Drummond. Despite his slight dip in form this week, the team has remained strong as they have won nine of their last eleven games. Losses came against Toronto and the lowly Cleveland, while their best wins in this stretch have been against Washington, Utah and New Orleans.

Jimmy Butler has been vocal on his desire to keep Embiid happy, and team chemistry looks to be good at Philadelphia. Their schedule this week contains home games against Detroit, Brooklyn, Indiana before finishing the week in Cleveland.

Philly remain one of the top teams in the East, but they have struggled against the best teams in the conference; they have lost to each of Toronto, Boston, and Milwaukee at least once.

It may seem unfair to place Philly as low as fourth going into week nine, especially after they have won nine of their last eleven games, but the fact is their schedule has been weak, they have struggled against the best teams in the conference when they have had to play them, and Embiid is facing some struggles. This team can't be competitive without Embiid at his best, and they need him back there for their face-off with Detroit to open the week.