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2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Celtics Pushing For No. 1 Seed In Week 23

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Power Rankings
Mar 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

In Week 23 of NBA Power Rankings, the Boston Celtics are making a serious push for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference as the Cleveland Cavaliers struggle.

The Cleveland Cavaliers still have the No. 1 seed, but with the Boston Celtics mere percentage points behind in the standings, the race at the top of the East has seriously heated up.

With just a few weeks left of regular season action, Brad Stevens and company are on a tear and everything seems to be coming together at the right time. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s defense is the second-worst in the association since the All-Star break as the defending champs search for answers.

In the West, the Golden State Warriors have made their climb back to the top of our power rankings without Kevin Durant, while James Harden restated his MVP case in a dominant head-to-head win over Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder over the weekend.

With the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks all submitting strong resumes over the last few weeks, where does everyone end up on the NBA ladder?

Here’s a look at our Week 23 NBA Power Rankings.