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NBA Power Rankings: The Boston Celtics are back, baby

By Ian Levy

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 6: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks at TD Garden on December 6, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 6: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks at TD Garden on December 6, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 9: Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) grimaces after hitting the court hard. Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks in 2nd half action of NBA regular season play at Scobiabank Arena. Raptors lose 99-104. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 9: Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) grimaces after hitting the court hard. Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks in 2nd half action of NBA regular season play at Scobiabank Arena. Raptors lose 99-104. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

2. team. 81. . 21-7. Previous: 1st. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors let several huge opportunities slip through their fingers this week, dropping games against both the Bucks and Nets. On top of their loss to the Nuggets to end last week, they have now dropped three of their last four games. Every team, even the very best, will go through small rough patches like this one over the course of a season, but dropping winnable games against some of the other top teams in the league keep them from separating themselves.

Kawhi Leonard has continued to play MVP-level basketball but Kyle Lowry struggled this week and some of the other supporting players missed shots they normally make. Because of their playoff failures in the past and because Leonard’s impending free agency is looming make them seem a bit more fragile than a team this good otherwise would. However, all the pieces are still there and next week may just wipe it all away.

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