NBA Power Rankings: Boston Celtics Hold On to No. 1 Spot As Los Angeles Lakers Barge Into Top 10

• The Boston Celtics kept hold of the top spot after crushing the Milwaukee Bucks on the road
• The red-hot Phoenix Suns and the surging New York Knicks rise in the power rankings
• The Los Angeles Lakers entered the top 10 after embarking on a three-game winning streak

Here come the Lakers.

They have won 10 of their last 14 games to move up to seventh place in the Western Conference.

The Lakers’ surge was enough for them to barge into the top 10 for this week’s power rankings.

1. Boston Celtics (54-24)

The Boston Celtics looked like they were going to relinquish the top position after suffering a humiliating loss to the Washington Wizards.

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The Celtics reminded everyone why they are one of the title favorites, crushing league-leaders Milwaukee by 41 points on the road on Thursday night, per Sports Illustrated. That showing was enough for Boston to land the top spot.

2. Milwaukee Bucks (56-22)

The Bucks bounced back from that embarrassing loss to Boston with an important win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in the 117-104 victory, finishing with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. He is making a strong case to win the MVP award, averaging 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game this season.

3. Denver Nuggets (52-26)

The Nuggets moved within a game of clinching the top seed in the Western Conference after beating the Golden State Warriors 112-110 on Sunday night.

Jamal Murray starred for the Nuggets, scoring 26 points and blocking Klay Thompson’s three-point attempt in the dying seconds that sealed the win for Denver.

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4. Memphis Grizzlies (49-29)

The Grizzlies’ bid to claim the top seed in the West got derailed in the Windy City after they lost to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

Memphis suffered a stunning collapse after leading by 23 points in the first half. Turnovers doomed the Grizzlies, who were outscored 75-39 in the second half.

5. Philadelphia 76ers (51-27)

The Sixers lost two titanic showdowns last week to conference leaders Denver and Milwaukee.

They managed to beat the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors to keep their hopes of landing the second seed in the East alive. Tyrese Maxey was impressive during that stretch, averaging 23 points on 54% shooting from beyond the arc.

6. New York Knicks (46-33)

The Knicks clinched a playoff berth on Sunday after beating the Washington Wizards 118-109.

Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes each scored 27 points for the Knicks, who stretched their unbeaten run to four games. They stepped up in the absence of Julius Randle, who is out due to an ankle injury.

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7. Phoenix Suns (43-35)

There is no hotter team in the NBA right now than the Phoenix Suns. They have won their last five games to climb to fourth place in the Western Conference standings.

The Suns haven’t lost with Kevin Durant in the lineup. He scored 35 points in Phoenix’s 128-118 win over Oklahoma City on Sunday night.

8. Sacramento Kings (47-31)

The Kings should be higher in the rankings after ending the longest active playoff drought in North American sports.

The week ended horribly, however, for the Kings as they suffered a humiliating loss to the lowly Spurs. They allowed 142 points to bottom-dwelling San Antonio.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers (49-30)

The Cavs started the week with losses to the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks, who were without Julius Randle.

They snapped that two-game losing skid with a 115-105 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. Donovan Mitchell scored 40 points in that victory. He has been on fire of late, averaging 42 points in his last three games.

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10. Los Angeles Lakers (40-38)

The Lakers are peaking at the right time. They have their sights set on a guaranteed playoff spot after winning their last three games.

The Lakers are now just a half-game behind the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors for fifth place in the Western Conference standings.

They took down the Bulls, Wolves, and Rockets this week with Anthony Davis scoring at least 38 points in each of those games.

LeBron James also contributed to the Lakers’ resurgence, averaging 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for the week.

Rankings of other NBA teams

11. Brooklyn Nets (43-35)

12. New Orleans Pelicans (40-38)

13. Los Angeles Clippers (41-38)

14. Golden State Warriors (41-38)

15. Miami Heat (41-37)

16. Atlanta Hawks (39-39)

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (39-40)

18. Toronto Raptors (39-39)

19. Oklahoma City Thunder (38-41)

20. Chicago Bulls (38-40)

21. Utah Jazz (36-42)

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22. Dallas Mavericks (37-42)

23. Washington Wizards (34-44)

24. Orlando Magic (34-44)

25. Indiana Pacers (34-45)

26. Portland Trail Blazers (33-45)

27. Charlotte Hornets (26-53)

28. San Antonio Spurs (20-58)

29. Houston Rockets (19-60)

30. Detroit Pistons (16-62)

Davis and James power Lakers

Sports Brief recently reported on the Lakers’ win over the Rockets.

Anthony Davis scored 40 points, leading the Lakers to a 134-109 win.

LeBron James also contributed, recording a triple-double in the rout.