Through 13 games the Philadelphia 76ers were 10-3, but since then their schedule has become increasingly difficult and they've lost starting center, Spencer Hawes to injury. They're 10-8 in their last 18 games and 8-8 since losing Hawes.
The Sixers are coming off consecutive losses for only the second time all season and will once again will be without Hawes – who's out until after the All-Star Break, at least – when they travel to Minnesota to face the up-and-coming Timberwolves Sunday night.
Led by consecutive 30+ point, 15+ rebound games from the best power forward in the NBA, Kevin Love, the Wolves have won two games in a row. At 15-16 the Wolves are the worst team in the Northwest Division, but only two games behind Houston, Denver and Memphis for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Love's unlikely frontcout parter in crime, Nikola Pekovic, has exploded onto the scene recently, averaging 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks in his past five games. The size of Pekovic and Love could really give the Sixers trouble, although rookies Nikola Vucevic and Lavoy Allen have continued to improve in Philly's frontcourt.
For more on the Sixers check out our team page, or the coolest Sixers blog ever, Liberty Ballers.