NBA Power Rankings week 12: injury fallout, OKC Thunder highs and lows

Boston Celtics:

Offense: (111.5) 5th
Defense: (104.5) 3rd
Net: (plus +7.0) 3rd

Games Week 12 (1-3): Won vs. Pelicans: 140-105, Lost vs. Wizards: 94-99, Spurs: 114-129, 76ers: 98-109
Games Week 13 (4 games): Mon vs. Bulls | Weds vs. Pistons | Fri at Bucks | Sat vs. Suns

The Celtics navigated injury absences of Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart without any issues. But the true shock might be how well Boston has dealt with the loss of Robert Williams who has missed 16 games.

Thinking back to last season it was during that campaign that Aron Bayne seemingly took another step and the same situation is occurring this season with Daniel Theis raising his level of play and matching up against peers who are much taller than his 6’8″ stature. That’s no small feat and the coaches who prepare the team deserve kudos alongside Theis for his effort.

Still, week 12 ended on the negative side with three losses to the lone victory. That’s now three meetings and three losses to the 76ers.  It could simply be the ups and downs of the season but it feels more likely this is a factor of teams figuring out how to take advantage of the small frontcourt.

Is it a harbinger for things to come?