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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
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 15: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during a game against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on January 15, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /

Week 19 NBA Power Rankings: 6. Boston Celtics

Record: 34-26

The Boston Celtics are the hottest team in the NBA right now. They have won nine of their last ten games and have been the best defense since the calendar turned to 2022, and it hasn’t even been close. Every single player they put on the floor can guard all five positions (at least for a possession or two) and they run a switch-everything defense that has been blowing out teams by large margins.

Adding Derrick White at the trade deadline just added another defensive weapon to Ime Udoka’s arsenal. The backcourt of him and Marcus Smart is enough to cause a ruckus on the defensive end while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown handle things on offense. Add in the twin towers of Robert Williams and Al Horford, and the Celtics are looking scary.

Week 19 NBA Power Rankings: 5. Chicago Bulls

Record: 38-21

Ever since Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso went out, the Chicago Bulls have been struggling on the defensive end. Luckily for them, DeMar DeRozan has been carrying. His offensive production has been nothing short of incredible, and he even became the first player in NBA history to score 35 points or more on above 50 percent shooting in seven straight games. That broke Wilt Chamberlain’s record. Whenever a player is breaking Chamberlain’s records, that’s the mark of a superstar.

And DeRozan has needed to be that guy for the Bulls this season. With a bunch of their guys dealing with injuries, DeRozan has been the light at the end of the tunnel. Ayo Dosunmu has also been huge for Chicago as they try to get back into the playoffs and make a run. Once they get all their guys back, watch out.

Week 19 NBA Power Rankings: 4. Golden State Warriors

Record: 42-17

Although Stephen Curry’s MVP case might be dead, the Golden State Warriors are still one of the best teams in the league. Curry is having the worst shooting year of his career, but he’s still dominant from behind the arc. Add in some solid play from All-Star starter Andrew Wiggins (despite his recent struggles), and the Warriors are looking good.

The one thing they need to worry about right now, though, is getting Draymond Green back from injury. The All-Star forward is an integral part of everything Golden State does, and losing him to an injury is huge. While they’ve been managing, they lost two in a row ahead of the All-Star break and will be looking to swiftly get back on track.