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NBA Power Rankings Week 20: Philadelphia 76ers streak in the penultimate week

By Corey Rausch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react in front of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react in front of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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NBA, 76ers (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
NBA, 76ers (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

14. Boston Celtics

Last Week: Lost to Portland Trail Blazers 129-119, Beat Orlando Magic 132-96, Lost to Chicago Bulls 121-99

This Week: 5/9 vs. Miami Heat, 5/11 vs. Miami Heat, 5/12 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 5/15 at Minnesota Timberwolves, 5/16 at New York Knicks

For yet another week, the Boston Celtics remain uninspiring. The Conference Finalist from a season ago is clinging to their playoff hopes, sitting at the seventh seed with a final week ahead to avoid the play-in. The Celtics control their own destiny, with two games against the Miami Heat at home to start the week followed by two more games they will be favored in. Ending the season against the New York Knicks will provide one more playoff practice for the Celtics.

The season has been disjointed for the Celtics from the start, so ending on the same note should come as no surprise. The team as a whole has struggled with injuries and the pandemic, but so has everyone else in the league. Something remains off and that is unlikely to change over the next week for Boston to make a push to another Conference Finals appearance.

Over the final week of the season, the primary goal besides winning games should be to continue to get more out of rookie Aaron Nesmith. Over the last few weeks, he has gotten noticeably more comfortable in his role and has displayed the shooting stroke that saw him look like a lottery pick a season ago.