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NBA Power Rankings week 17: OKC Thunder and peers enter break

By Tamberlyn Richardson

FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings W17
OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings W17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the LA Clippers (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

4. team. 18. . 38-16. Previous: 4th. Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics:

Offense: (112.5) 5th
Defense: (105.7) 3rd
Net: (plus +6.8) 3rd

Results Week 17: (1-1) Won vs. Clippers: 141-133 (OTx2), Lost vs. Rockets: 105-116
Games Week 18: (2 games) Fri at Wolves | Sun at Lakers

As noted last week, the Celtics own a 15-10 road record. Of the 15 wins, four came against teams with records over .500 and there is more to this equation.

Specifically, the Celtics held a rest advantage in three of those four wins.

  • Against the Mavericks the Celtics were on SIX days rest while Dallas had a single day off (having played the Bucks two days prior).
  • Boston entered Christmas Day having hosted the Hornets three days earlier and had played twice in a six-day time span. Conversely, the Raptors were playing their third game in four days but more importantly played the night prior in an overtime road game. So not only in a back to back but one with a noon start time.
  • Likewise, the Heat was playing the second game of a back-to-back with the Celtics the rested team.
  • And the win in OKC was by one point with the Thunder having played the most games of all teams in January.

That’s not to say the Celtics won’t continue to win on the road but seven of their 14 road games post All-Star break will be against teams with winning records, two more against playoff seeded clubs and three more against teams chasing that final playoff berth.

Of the 30 games, they have left to play 19 are against seeded clubs and another four against the teams in the ninth seed. It will be a tough test and a great way to build momentum down the stretch. The team they are chasing for the second seed (Raptors) have 29 games remaining with 16 against seeded clubs, one against a team in ninth with 15 road games and nine of those against seeded teams.

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