In this week’s installment of our NBA Power Rankings, we take a closer look at the red-hot Boston Celtics who are looking more like themselves
After a slow start to the season, the Boston Celtics are red-hot having won nine of their last 11 games and eight games in a row (until a loss to the Pistons). During that span, the Celtics have been playing like the best team in the NBA too.
Over their last 11 games, the Celtics have the NBA’s best offense and second-best defense. They have a league-leading Net Rating, besting opponents by nearly 20 points per contest. Individually, Jayson Tatum has also been much better during the span too.
Overcoming his rough shooting start, Tatum, in this recent Celtics’ tear, is averaging 18 points and six rebounds per game on 55 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range. Gordon Hayward appears to look more and more like himself lately, too, including a 30-point outburst just a few games ago.
Boston is beginning to look more and more like the team we thought they’d be entering the season. We knew this would eventually happen, even despite their slow start, and it appears they’re close.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the NBA landscape in our latest Power Rankings.