NBA Power Rankings: Milwaukee Bucks riding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s balky back

Last week: Beat Boston 99-94, lost at Orlando 123-89, beat Atlanta 111-101

This week: Sunday vs. Utah, Wednesday at Chicago, Friday at Toronto

The Washington Wizards added another impressive trophy to the collection last week by beating the Celtics at home, where they have recently taken down the Heat and Nuggets as well. That despite still dealing with an injury list that is lengthy and full of guys expected to play important roles. The good news for Washington last week was getting sharpshooter Davis Bertans back.

But it was Troy Brown Jr. who set the tone with some consistent play, averaging 17.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals in 35.4 minutes per game … off the bench. And, yes, that double-double average for the week is from a 6-foot-6 wing. Brown shot 43.9 percent overall and knocked down 4-of-10 from 3-point range in the three games.

Last week: Lost to Indiana 115-104, lost to Toronto 112-110 (OT), lost at Utah 109-92

This week: Sunday at Phoenix, Monday at Portland, Wednesday at Denver

A difficult week for the Charlotte Hornets, who became the first team in the NBA to reach the official halfway point of their season, playing in their 41st game on Friday. But it was a loss which capped an 0-3 week for the Hornets, including an overtime loss to the Raptors on Wednesday that felt like an opportunity lost.

Terry Rozier, however, has been playing like a big-ticket free agent of late. Last week, he averaged 26.0 points, 4.3 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 38.8 minutes per game on 47.3 percent shooting overall, while knocking down 39.3 percent on 9.3 3-point attempts per game. Rozier ran his streak of consecutive games with at least 20 points to a career-high five straight as well.