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NBA Power Rankings: Spurs on top? Kawhi not

By Brandon Jefferson

Mar 4, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) soars past Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) for a dunk during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) soars past Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) for a dunk during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
5

Boston Celtics 43-25

Last week: 5-3
Last rank: 4th

Despite Danny Ainge not cashing in on any of the assets he has compiled lately, the Celtics have risen to the top of the Eastern Conference standings anyway. Only a few games behind Cleveland, thanks to the superb play of Isaiah Thomas, this team looks like a true threat despite them not having a collection of superstars like the Warriors or Cavaliers. Thomas’ play has carried them especially when it has mattered most. His excellence and consistency in the fourth quarter have been crucial to many of Boston’s victories this year.

Their ability as an elite defensive team was on full display in their recent win over Golden State at Oracle Arena. Neither Klay Thompson or Steph Curry had any air space or room to get anything done. With players like Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart on the roster they have some of the best perimeter defenders on the same team. Maybe Ainge thought it was more important to keep those three defenders around tan make a big move to get another star like Jimmy Butler or Paul George to team up with Thomas and Al Horford. We won’t know if he was right or not until the postseason. As it stands now the Celtics and Cavaliers are on a collision course with each other. A tough seven-game series in the Eastern Conference Finals would be big for Boston and possibly get the media and fans off of Ainge’s back for awhile about making a deal.

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