Boston Celtics surge up 2 spots in NBA Power Rankings

Last week: Beat Chicago 103-95, beat Philadelphia 98-97, lost at Milwaukee 111-100

This week: Monday vs. Atlanta, Wednesday at Washington, Friday vs. Miami, Saturday vs. Utah

The Orlando Magic are still having problems getting an offensive flow going, shooting just 43.4 percent in three games last week. They still won two of those on the back of their defense, posting a 100.3 defensive rating for the week, sixth-best in the NBA. But that 99.0 offensive rating was 26th in the NBA and that dichotomy has been the story of the Magic season thus far.

Nikola Vucevic did what he could on the offensive end, averaging 19.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 31.6 minutes per game, shooting 46.9 percent overall and hitting 9-of-19 from 3-point range, including 5-for-10 in Saturday’s loss at Milwaukee. The Bucks limited Orlando to five offensive rebounds despite the Magic’s 40.2 percent shooting.

Last week: Lost to New York 94-82, lost at Houston 108-98

This week: Monday at Minnesota, Thursday at Dallas, Saturday vs. Toronto

Not a great week — however short it was — for the Brooklyn Nets, who set an NBA record in Thursday’s loss to the Knicks with just eight made 2-point field goals, the fewest in a game in the shot clock era (which began in 1954-55) and then fell behind by 22 points in the first quarter at Houston on Saturday (but they did knock down 26 2-pointers so … progress!).

Jarrett Allen shook off a poor performance against the Knicks and scored 20 points with 16 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 53 minutes of play, hitting 5-of-9 from the floor and 10-of-12 at the free throw line — big for a guy still shooting just 63.4 percent for the season. Against the Rockets, Allen had his 16th double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 boards.