We’re a week out from 2024, and every NBA team is writing its New Year’s resolutions as the season is far from over and a fresh start is welcomed … for some more than others. The Boston Celtics are seemingly untouchable as they top the rankings for the sixth week in a row. But the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers are not far behind them as the Eastern Conference begins to heat up. In the West, the LA Clippers continue to cook, but Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are also putting on quite a show. Doncic capped a Christmas Day slate of games with 50 points to eclipse 10,000 for his career.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons made history Tuesday night by dropping their 27th straight game — setting a new single-season record for the most consecutive losses. Will some teams turn a new leaf in the new year? While we wait to see whether some can round out 2023 on a high note, let’s take a look at this week’ Power Rankings.After Boston’s overtime loss to Golden State on Dec. 19, fortunes quickly improved for the Celtics during their California tour. In their wins over Sacramento, the Clippers and the Lakers over the past week, Boston outscored its opponents by a combined 73 points — including a 37-point win over the streaking Clippers on Saturday. Boston closes 2023 with games against Detroit, Toronto and San Antonio, and a clear opportunity to finish the month with a sterling 13-2 record and the top mark in the league.
