Power rankings: Sixers make modest jump

The Sixers finished their West Coast swing winning three of four, including a 108-105 victory over the Nuggets on Sunday.

Next up are the Wizards and Raptors at home, before the team heads to Detroit to take on the Pistons Friday.

The national media hasn't expressed much optimism with the Sixers this season.

Here is Pattison Ave.'s weekly roundup of where they stand in the various power rankings around the Web:

NBA.com'sJohn Schuhmann said it's the Sixers' offense that carried them on the West Coast. He moved them from 29th to 24th:

The Sixers finished their trip west by winning three out of four. They did it with offense, shooting 53 percent and moving the ball well in the three wins, though they shot blanks on Thursday in L.A. The defense still hasn't shown any improvement over 33 games.

ESPN.com credits the Sixers' success partly to Allen Iverson's return from a knee injury, moving them up from 29 to 24:

It's true that every team beaten in this 3-1 revival has been shorthanded. It's also true that the road rally A) accounts for Philly's best week all season and B) started when Iverson came back to play on a bad knee.

FOXSports.com's John Galinsky gives the Sixers a vote of confidence after an impressive road trip, also having Iverson healthy helps, too. He moved them up three spots from 27th to 24th this week:

Western swing showed the Sixers can be pretty good when they're at full strength. Plus, Iverson is helping the cause by staying within himself.

CBSSports.com has them at 24 and believes a 13-day road trip did the Sixers well:

Signs of life: 13-day trip features wins vs. Blazers, Kings, Nuggets. ... Glad to be back: Allen Iverson contributes 17 to another win in front of old Denver fans.

The Sixers take on the Wizards tonight, a team they're 0-2 against so far this season.