Boston Celtics surge up 2 spots in NBA Power Rankings

Last week: Beat Atlanta 121-118, lost at Boston 129-117, won at Minnesota 94-88

This week: Tuesday at Toronto, Thursday vs. Charlotte, Saturday vs. Oklahoma City

It was a 2-1 week for the Cleveland Cavaliers, including a road win at Minnesota — just their second win in their last 11 games on the road — in a game in which they (a) did not have Kevin Love because of a bruised hip and (b) shot a season-worst 20.0 percent from 3-point range, making a season-low four.

But they also had their best defensive effort of the season, allowing the Wolves to shoot just 35.5 percent. Collin Sexton had his scoring game on, averaging 21.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 33.7 minutes per game while shooting 45.6 percent overall and going 0-for-4 from deep. He had 25 points in Monday’s win over the Hawks.

Last week: Lost to San Antonio 145-115, won at Oklahoma City 110-97, lost at Denver 119-110

This week: Sunday vs. Charlotte, Thursday at Sacramento, Saturday at Clippers

A strange 1-2 week for the Memphis Grizzlies, who got demolished at home by the Spurs before winning at Oklahoma City — avenging their come-from-ahead loss from Dec. 18 in which they coughed up a 25-point lead — and scoring 18 points in the first 19:08 of the first half in Denver on Saturday night before finishing with the half with 21 points in the final 4:52.

The Grizzlies trailed by as much as 23 at Denver and never led, though they did cut the deficit to three early in the third quarter before the Nuggets took over. Jonas Valanciunas was a beacon of consistency, however, averaging 17.7 points and 8.7 rebounds in just 25.5 minutes per game, shooting 67.6 percent overall and hitting 2-of-3 from 3-point land.