NBA Power Rankings: Bucks remain in first as top spots hold steady

Not a lot of change at the top of these NBC Sports NBA Power Rankings, with the Bucks holding down the top spot (although the Celtics, without four starters, were the more impressive team in that game). Denver at fifth remains the highest-seeded team out of the West, but watch out for the Suns.

 1. Bucks (40-17, Last week No. 1). Jae Crowder isn’t going to make his debut until after the All-Star break, but that hasn’t slowed the Bucks who have won 11 straight (including a victory Tuesday night over a shorthanded Celtics squad). While defense is fueling this latest run, Giannis Antetokounmpo has increased his usage rate during this stretch and is averaging 37.2 points per game during the streak. Jrue Holiday has also stepped up his role, and Khris Middleton is getting his groove back. Milwaukee feels like a team finding its stride at the right time.

 2. Celtics (41-17, LW 2). Coaches love to say there are no moral victories in the NBA, but Tuesday night felt like one for the Celtics: No Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown or Al Horford or Marcus Smart, yet they pushed the Bucks to OT. It was a loss that cemented the very deep Celtics as the team to beat in the NBA this season. Mike Muscala is averaging 13.3 points per game since coming over to the Celtics, shooting 39.1% from 3, and playing 25.3 minutes per night. Boston doesn’t want to see Muscala having to play those kinds of minutes in the postseason, but if he can help get Horford and Robert Williams III to the playoffs healthy, then it was a quality pickup.

 3. 76ers (37-19, LW 3). While it’s tempting to say the 76ers are just three games back of the Celtics and grabbing the No.1 seed in the East is not out of the question, Philly also has the toughest remaining