NBA Power Rankings: Celtics, Nuggets separate from pack, Lakers make huge jump into top 10

During one of many soul-searching moments during the 80s classic, Say Anything, Lloyd Dobler spurns the advice of his best friend, Corey, explaining that he’s a guy and he has pride. Corey replies to him, “The world is full of guys. Be a man. Don’t be a guy.”

Well, in an NBA world full of guys, right now the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets are men..

The two title favorites have asserted themselves since the All-Star break, with the Celtics riding an 11-game winning streak, and the Nuggets on a six-game run of their own. Boston has been particularly dominant, with a net rating of plus-26.2 (!) in five games since returning from the break. Denver has been no slouch at plus-14.6, allowing just 106 points per 100 possessions in the six games compared to 114 before the break. Both teams look primed and ready with the postseason about six weeks away, and they — unsurprisingly occupy — the top two spots in this week’s Power Rankings.

Speaking of primed and ready, the Los Angeles Lakers kept up their strong play of late, jumping eight spots and reaching the top 10 in this week’s Power Rankings after impressive wins over the Clippers and Thunder — two of the best in the Western Conference. LeBron James continues to defy the aging conventions of old, helping set the example as his team attempts to turn its season around.

On the flip side are the New York Knicks, who fell five spots amid unending injury problems. And then there are the Indiana Pacers, who don’t seem to be playing with the same juice they had to begin the season. They fell nine spots to No. 18 as their leader, Tyrese Haliburton, nurses a post-All-Star dip in production.

With two formidable behemoths at the top, here are this week’s NBA Power Rankings.

*Please keep in mind that our NBA Power Rankings are based on weekly performance (Tuesday to Monday), not the whole season.