NBA Power Rankings: One reason every team can be optimistic

By Ian Levy | Dec 18, 2018

BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 3: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on December 3, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 16: Jimmy Butler #23 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrate after scoring during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on December 16, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

8. team. 93. . 20-12. Previous: 12th. Philadelphia 76ers

It can be misleading to look at stats for specific lineups and compare that performance to the rest of the league, minute samples can be small and they wipe away some of the context of who is playing against who, and when. That being said, buckle up, because here we go.

With J.J. Redick, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler on the floor together, the 76ers have been outscoring opponents by 16.3 points per 100 possessions. Only two quartets in the league have played at least 200 minutes with a better point differential — Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Steven Adams, Jerami Grant is the first. The other is that same 76ers group with Wilson Chandler in place of Butler.

The 76ers have a core that is as good as anyone else in the league, and potentially even more upside if Chandler can keep playing well and they can be strategic about staggering Butler’s minutes to lead bench units. They have championship upside and as rotations tighten in the playoffs it could become even clearer.

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