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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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DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 8: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks smiles during a game against the Houston Rockets on December 8, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 8: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks smiles during a game against the Houston Rockets on December 8, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

. 14-11. Previous: 13th. dallas Mavericks. 15. team. 79

The Mavericks have continued their climb in the standings, with Luka Doncic establishing himself as one of the most exciting NBA rookies in recent memory. Of all the pieces of Doncic’s rookie season that have impressed, performance in close games has to be near the top. In 33 clutch minutes this season, Doncic has racked up 40 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and just 2 turnovers, shooting 63.6 percent from the field and nailing 3-of-7 3-pointers.

Winning close games has been huge for the Mavericks surge and you can see how it’s building confidence for a team that struggled mightily to find a collective rhythm last season. Dorian Finney-Smith, Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews are all hitting 39 percent or better on 3-pointers, with Doncic’s explosion helping everyone settle and thrive in more constrained offensive roles.

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