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NBA Power Rankings Week 19: Celtics surge, Warriors falter

By Jack Simone

Dec 17, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) talks with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after their game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) talks with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after their game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Power Rankings Week 19: Celtics surge, Warriors falter
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 23: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 23, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

Week 19 NBA Power Rankings: 12. Toronto Raptors

Record: 32-25

The Toronto Raptors have been surging as of late, winning eight of their last ten games. Nick Nurse has employed a lineup full of almost exclusively tall, long, versatile wings (and Fred VanVleet), and it’s worked wonders. Plus, Nurse loves to play most of his main guys very heavy minutes, and in turn, they’ve been able to string together a ton of wins.

Currently, they are in a battle with the Boston Celtics and some other Eastern Conference teams to earn a top-six seed. It’s going to be a bloodbath in the East. There’s a real chance that they end up in the play-in, but with how well they’ve been playing, they look like a bonafide playoff team.

Week 19 NBA Power Rankings: 11. Utah Jazz

Record: 36-22

There has been a lot of drama regarding the Utah Jazz in recent weeks. Most notably, Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated noted that teams are preparing for multiple players to request trades this summer – one of which being Donovan Mitchell. The rocky relationship between him and Rudy Gobert has been heavily documented, and it seems as though it could still be an issue.

Utah has won six of their last ten games, but with the struggles, they went through a few weeks ago, there are a couple of Western Conference teams knocking on their door. They should be able to maintain a top-four seed in the West, but it won’t be easy. Keep an eye on the Jazz for the rest of the season.

Week 19 NBA Power Rankings: 10. Dallas Mavericks

Record: 35-24

When the Dallas Mavericks traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline, a lot of people were skeptical. Well, just a few games with their new roster revealed the Mavericks’ real plan – let Luka Doncic work. Ever since Porzingis has been off the team, Doncic has been playing insanely well. He’s legitimately inserted himself into the MVP conversation.

The team around him doesn’t jump off the page, with Jalen Brunson and Tim Hardaway Jr. being the next-best players on the roster. But they have a bunch of guys who play their roles well. Outside of the aforementioned Brunson and Hardaway, players such as Doran Finney-Smith, Dwight Powell, and Marquisse Chriss have played a big part in their recent surge. The Mavs have a real shot at getting out of the first round this season for the first time in Doncic’s career.