The NBA season is a roller coaster, and the Boston Celtics are along for the ride.
At about this time last week, things didn’t look too good for the C’s, who had just dropped four games in a row after losing key swingman Jae Crowder to injury. But a lot can change in seven days, and Boston certainly proved that this week, taking advantage of a kind schedule to promptly win its next four.
The result of the Celtics’ 180 is the latest example of high drama in the Eastern Conference, where the No. 3 seed Atlanta Hawks and the No. 6 seed Charlotte Hornets — who sandwich Boston and the Miami Heat — are separated by just one and a half games.
But that’s not the only drama that’s unfolding across The Association with under 10 games remaining for most teams. Find out where everyone stacks up in our Week 23 NBA Power Rankings, which account for all games played through Sunday, March 27.
1. Golden State Warriors (66-7): The Warriors just need to go 7-2 in their final nine games to secure the NBA’s best regular season record ever. They still have two games remaining against the Spurs, though. Last week: 1
2. San Antonio Spurs (61-12): The Spurs showed signs of mortality this week, blowing a huge lead against the Hornets on Monday and getting handled (albeit while short-handed) by the Thunder in Saturday night’s heavyweight bout. Last week: 2
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-21): LeBron James and Co. still are capable of befuddling losses, like the one they suffered Thursday to the lowly Nets. However, they remain two and a half games up on the No. 2 seed Raptors. Last week: 3
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (51-22): Would you want to face this team in the playoffs? OKC has won seven straight to all but wrap up the No. 3 seed in the West, which could mean a Spurs-Thunder matchup in the second round. Yes, please. Last week: 5
5. Toronto Raptors (49-23): The Raptors opted for health Wednesday by sitting Kyle Lowry in a loss to the Celtics, then lost again to the Rockets on Friday. The top-seeded Cavs will be tough to catch. Last week: 4
6. Los Angeles Clippers (45-27): The Clippers finally salvaged a couple wins this week but still are 4-6 in their last 10 games. The good news: Blake Griffin should return to action next Sunday. Last week: 6
7. Atlanta Hawks (44-30): Atlanta is showing no signs of slowing down. The Hawks have lost just once in their last nine games to rise all the way to the No. 3 seed in the East. Last week: 7
8. Boston Celtics (43-30): The Celtics have had a few close calls against inferior opponents but currently own the longest win streak in the East at four games. A crucial three-game stretch against the Clippers, Blazers and Warriors awaits. Last week: 9
9. Miami Heat (42-30): The opportunity is there for the Heat to vault up the East standings, as six of their final 10 games are against teams with records of .500 or worse. Last week: 8
10. Charlotte Hornets (42-31): The same applies to the Hornets, who play their next two games against the Sixers. Also of note: Charlotte scored seven (yes, seven) points in the first quarter Monday yet still beat the second-best team in basketball. Last week: 11
11. Memphis Grizzlies (41-32): The Grizzlies are treading water as the West’s No. 5 seed, but it’ll be tough for them to make a splash in the playoffs unless Mike Conley can return from injury to save them. Last week: 10
12. Indiana Pacers (39-34): Indiana almost swept its cupcake schedule this week but hiccuped against the Nets on Saturday. Still, it looks like the Pacers are on, err, pace to make the postseason. Last week: 12
13. Detroit Pistons (39-35): Detroit got hot at just the right time, winning five in a row before falling to the Hawks on Saturday. The Pistons face another tall task in the Thunder on Sunday. Last week: 14
14. Portland Trail Blazers (38-36): C.J. McCollum saved the Blazers from disaster Saturday with his late layup to beat the Sixers. He should be a lock for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. Last week: 15
15. Chicago Bulls (36-36): Things are getting ugly in Chicago, folks. The Bulls have lost three in a row to fall two games out of a playoff spot and had to hold a team meeting this weekend to sort things out. Last week: 13
16. Utah Jazz (36-37): The NBA’s second-best defensive team in terms of points allowed per game was at it again this week, holding two of their three opponents to under 90 points. Last week: 19
17. Washington Wizards (36-37): The Wizards are playing well but can’t afford to lose many more games if they want to sneak into the playoffs. Too bad they play the Warriors on Tuesday. Last week: 18
18. Houston Rockets (36-38): James Harden continues to score massive amounts of points and the Rockets continue to lose. Fortunately for Houston, the Mavs have been even worse. Last week: 16
19. Dallas Mavericks (35-38): The wheels officially are falling off in Dallas. The Kings dropped 133 on Rajon Rondo’s former team Sunday to give the Mavs their third straight loss and eighth in the last 10 games. Last week: 17
20. Denver Nuggets (31-43): Rookie Emmanuel Mudiay is having an excellent month, averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game in March. Last week: 22
21. Orlando Magic (30-43): Orlando snapped its six-game losing streak with a win over the Bulls on Saturday, which says more about how bad Chicago is playing. Last week: 21
22. Milwaukee Bucks (30-44): The Bucks’ five-game losing streak is the longest in the East. Well, besides the Sixers, of course. Last week: 20
23. New York Knicks (30-44): New York caught the Bulls while they were down, beating Chicago in back-to-back games this week. Miley Cyrus approves. Last week: 23
24. Sacramento Kings (29-44): Rondo dropped a double-double (11 points, 11 assists) Sunday night on the Mavs, then dropped a ruthless line on his former club after the game. Last week: 24
25. New Orleans Pelicans (26-46): As one might expect, the Pelicans haven’t won a game since shutting down Anthony Davis for the season. Oh, and that whole thing about Davis playing the last three years with a torn labrum isn’t exactly ideal. Last week: 25
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (24-49): The Timberwolves don’t win many games, but man, are they fun to watch. Last week: 26
27. Brooklyn Nets (21-51): Celtics fans everywhere have a message for Brooklyn after the Nets won two games in a row: Please start losing again, and fast. Last week: 27
28. Phoenix Suns (20-53): Boston’s message for Phoenix is just the opposite, although the Celtics didn’t help that cause by beating the Suns on Saturday. Last week: 28
29. Los Angeles Lakers (15-58): Circle your calendars for next Sunday night, when Kobe Bryant will take on the rival Celtics for the final time at Staples Center. Last week: 29
30. Philadelphia 76ers (9-65): No one loses quite like the Sixers. Last week: 30
Thumbnail photo via Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports Images
