NBA Power Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers are contenders with Jimmy Butler

Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid Ben Simmons (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid Ben Simmons (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls

25. Chicago Bulls (4-9)

Last week: 26

Decimated by injuries, the Chicago Bulls are doing what they can to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference. If they can remain within striking distance of one of the bottom two seeds of the playoff picture, it’s going to be interesting to see if this team can make a run.

Zach LaVine is playing like a star, and if he can continue to carry that over then perhaps the return of Lauri Markkanen can help jumpstart this team into a five or six game winning streak. And that’s really all it would take for this team to jump into the playoff race.

The East is expected to be that close all year long. But, that requires the Bulls hanging around over the next few weeks and by no means is that a guarantee. It won’t be easy for Chicago.