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2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Boston Celtics Find Their Groove In Week 12

Gerald Bourguet
Gerald Bourguet

Hoops Habit

Dec 30, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts to the crowd after scoring during the second half against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

In Week 12 of NBA Power Rankings, the Boston Celtics have their sights set on the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

NBA Power Rankings
Dec 30, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts to the crowd after scoring during the second half against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

After weeks of NBA Power Rankings, one theme has consistently come to the forefront: All it takes is one week for a team to rise through the ranks or plummet back down into the cellar of the conference standings.

For the most consistent teams at the top of the East and West, it takes tons of hard work to climb even one spot up the standings. In the middle, a win here or a loss there can make all the difference from week to week. Near the bottom of the playoff picture, it’s the same story.

Fortunately for those teams trying to sneak into the postseason — and unfortunately for those of us trying to make sense of a jumbled playoff picture — a sub-500 record has been enough to remain in playoff contention in BOTH conferences.

Our attention belongs in the East in Week 12, however, with the Boston Celtics finally healthy and surging toward the No. 2 seed. A win this week over the Toronto Raptors would give them the tiebreaker for second place in the conference, and with Paul Millsap available, they’re a blockbuster trade away from really making things interesting.

A Millsap deal might not happen, but the Celtics are starting to show what they can do now that everyone’s healthy. The question is, where does the rest of the league fall into place?

Here’s a look at our Week 12 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings.

NBA Power Rankings
Jan 2, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts with the referee in the fourth quarter against Utah Jazz at Barclays Center. Jazz win 101-89. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
January 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) dunks to score a basket against Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (23) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 7, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts on the bench during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dunks the ball over Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) reacts with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) after hitting the game winning shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and center Tyson Chandler (4) talk on the court in the first half of the NBA game against the Miami Heat at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 3, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Pepsi Center. The Kings won 120-113. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 5, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) celebrates with his teammates after hitting shot during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 118-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
January 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) controls the ball against Miami Heat forward Luke Babbitt (5) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 6, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel talks with Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 7, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots against the Boston Celtics during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 6, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts after a call against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 6, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) talks with head coach Jeff Hornacek during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

https://twitter.com/DefPenHoops/status/817551750760660993

NBA Power Rankings
Jan 3, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) high fives guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/818322327284940800

NBA Power Rankings
Jan 4, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) shoots over the defense of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) celebrates on the court in front of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is congratulated after scoring the game winning basket at the buzzer against New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Bucks won 105-104. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 7, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) dribbles the ball in on New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 123-109.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) celebrates a basket with guard Marco Belinelli (21) in the fourth quarter against Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hornets won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Nov 25, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) sits on the bench during a time out in the second half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 95-68. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) during the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 5, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoot for a basket past Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the second half at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 101-93. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) defends Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) in the second half at Staples Center. The Clippers won 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
January 6, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9, left) celebrates with forward Zach Randolph (50, right) during overtime against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 128-119. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) smiles after a basket during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
January 6, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the basketball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9), forward James Ennis (8), and forward Jarell Martin (1) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 128-119. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A fan holds a Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) MVP sign as the Rockets play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 7, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon (3) reacts after a shot against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings
Jan 6, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Cleveland Cavaliers won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Next: 2016-17 Win Projections For All 30 NBA Teams

Where does your favorite NBA team land in Week 12 and where SHOULD they be? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

Gerald Bourguet

Gerald Bourguet