Philadelphia 76ers: Crucial Week Ahead for a Slumping Sixers Squad

The Philadelphia 76ers will enter Monday night's tilt with the Charlotte Bobcats on a three-game losing streak.

Losses to the Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls over the last five days have been detrimental to a young team fighting to prove their legitimacy.

Although the recent emergence of Evan Turner was encouraging, the offense has sputtered against superior opponents. Over the last three games, the Sixers have averaged 84 points per contest, a mark that must improve if they hope to cling to a slim Atlantic Division lead.

With matchups against division rivals New York and Boston looming later this week, it's imperative that the Sixers shape up as they head down the home stretch.

Right now, the Sixers hold a game and a half lead over the Celtics for first place in the Atlantic, with New York sitting just four games back. While things look bleak, there are signs of a recovery.

The Sixers crucial stretch this week mirrors a stretch they faced just two weeks ago.

Coming off of losses to Chicago and Milwaukee the Sixers faced Boston and New York in a five day stretch, defeating both opponents by a combined 44 points.

Even more encouraging is the fact that both games this week will be played at home at the Wells Fargo Center, where the Sixers are 16-9 this season.

A slip up against either of these teams could have the Sixers in deep trouble, sending them tumbling as far down as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.

With less then a month to go in the regular season, the Sixers will be searching for wins any way they can get them. Of their 21 remaining games, 13 will be on the road. It's absolutely crucial that the Sixers take care of business on their home floor, especially against divisional opponents.

After the Sixers face off with the Knicks and Celtics, they will head to San Antonio for a matchup with the Spurs on Sunday evening.

If the Sixers want to prove that they're capable of capturing their first division title since 2001, they will have to show consistency.

Something they have lacked all season long.