Boston Celtics surge up 2 spots in NBA Power Rankings
By Phil Watson
Last week: Lost to Houston 113-104, lost to Minnesota 105-104 (2OT), lost to Phoenix 112-110
This week: Sunday at Denver, Tuesday vs. Clippers, Thursday vs. Memphis, Saturday vs. New Orleans
The Sacramento Kings have now lost six consecutive games after an 0-3 homestand last week. There were a couple of heart-breakers in there, losing in double-overtime to the Timberwolves on Thursday before Harrison Barnes‘ potential game-winning 3-pointer was off line with 2.0 seconds left against the Suns Saturday night.
The surprise in Sacramento continues to be journeyman big man Richaun Holmes, who hasn’t ceded the starting center spot back to former No. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley III. Last week, Holmes averaged 15.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in 37.1 minutes per game, shooting 65.5 percent and grabbing a career-high 18 rebounds on Thursday.
Last week: Won at Portland 102-94, won at Denver 112-100, beat Indiana 120-98
This week: Sunday vs. Houston, Friday at Lakers, Saturday at Sacramento
Break up the New Orleans Pelicans! After losing 14 of 15 games entering the week, the Pelicans blitzed through a 3-0 week, including road wins at Portland and Denver before blitzing the Pacers at home on Saturday in a game they trailed by 13 after the first quarter before outscoring the visitors 101-64 over the final three periods.
As has been the case for the Pelicans for much of this season, Brandon Ingram set the tone. He averaged 24.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.6 minutes per game while shooting 46.2 percent overall and hitting 11-of-20 (55.0 percent) from deep. Ingram put up his sixth double-double of the season at Portland and scored 31 in a Christmas Day win at Denver.