NBA Power Rankings: Where Do the Boston Celtics Stand After Beating the Magic?

NBA power rankings are here and we're breaking down the entire league as we get closer and closer to the All-Star break.

The Boston Celtics are a team that has been rolling all year long and beat the Orlando Magic yesterday. With that in mind, where do the Celtics rank among the league's best teams? Find out inside along with the rest of the association.

What team do you think is the best in basketball?

Nos. 30-21: The Bottom Of The Barrel.

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MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 15: Antawn Jamison #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with a referee during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on December 15, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

No. 30: Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Time: 30) — Well the Cavs have set a record for futility. It can't get much worse than this, it really can't.

No. 29: Washington Wizards (Last Time: 26) — The Wizards haven't won a single game on the road this season. Washington heads to Cleveland soon. That may be the NBA Finals of suck.

No. 28: Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Time: 29) — What exactly is Minnesota getting out of this rumored Carmelo Anthony deal? Kahn!

No. 27: Toronto Raptors (Last Time: 28) — It's not pretty, but at least Amir Johnson is playing well. Maybe he will earn that awful contract.

No. 26: Sacramento Kings (Last Time: 27) — At least Tyreke Evans is starting to play better, right?

No. 25: New Jersey Nets (Last Time: 25) — Devin Harris is dishing out assists like never before. Maybe he's turned a corner.

No. 24: Detroit Pistons (Last Time: 22) — Can someone explain to me what John Kuester's strategy is with Rip Hamilton?

No. 23: Milwaukee Bucks (Last Time: 23) — Brandon Jennings is getting back into the swing of things, but he still has plenty of work to do.

No. 22: Los Angeles Clippers (Last Time: 21) — Blake Griffin can't do it alone. The loss of Eric Gordon is really setting in.

No. 21: Charlotte Bobcats (Last Time: 18) — Maybe it's time to consider moving Stephen Jackson or Gerald Wallace.

No. 20: Indiana Pacers

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or us

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Don't look now, but here come the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana fired Jim O'Brien and all of a sudden things have changed for the Pacers. Players are getting playing time, they have defined roles and, what do you know, the team started winning basketball games again.

The Pacers could get in the playoffs and be a sneaky team in the big dance.

No. 19: Philadelphia 76ers

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Elton Brand #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

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I seem to go up-and-down on how I feel about the Philadelphia 76ers.

For a couple of games, the Sixers look like a team that could be going places and then for the next couple of games, they'll look weak, especially on the defensive end. Landry Fields and Amar'e Stoudemire took the Sixers to school on Sunday.

The perimeter defense needs to get better, and fast.

No. 18: Houston Rockets

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Houston Rockets head coach Rick Adelman gestures during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 114-106. NOTE TO USER: User e

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It's not getting any better for the Houston Rockets.

Aaron Brooks walked off the court the other night and was suspended by the team for his actions. Throw in the lack of Yao Ming and you've got a recipe for a down season. Things aren't clicking for the Rockets and it's been obvious all season long.

Houston needs to get some fresh blood in there, and fast.

No. 17: Golden State Warriors

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 24: Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the San Antonio Spurs at Oracle Arena on January 24, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or us

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I like the Warriors a lot, but there just hasn't been a lot of growth there.

Golden State plays no defense and if the Warriors could just play a little bit on the defensive end, they would be a much better team. Monta Ellis is having a monster season and has been overlooked in the Western Conference.

The Warriors are fun team to watch, though.

No. 16: New York Knicks

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks lays the ball up against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

Last Week: 16

Amar'e Stoudemire is having a monster year and has proved the doubters wrong.

Stoudemire has got the Knicks in the playoff hunt and might be joined by Carmelo Anthony if this trade comes through. The Knicks have good young players in Landry Fields and Danilo Gallinari and can really fill it up on the offensive end.

The Knicks could be dangerous come playoff time.

No. 15: Phoenix Suns

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 30: Vince Carter #25 of the Phoenix Suns high fives teammate Steve Nash #13 after scoring against the New Orleans Hornets during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 30, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Horne

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The Suns are an interesting team, if only for Steve Nash's presence on the roster.

Nash has kept the fans coming to the arena in Phoenix and it's probably time for him to go, but the Suns will continue to hold onto their meal ticket and continue to make money on games that he plays for them. Phoenix is outside the current playoff picture and it's a shame to see Nash go through this.

Don't you miss watching him play meaningful basketball?

No. 14: Portland Trail Blazers

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 14: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 14, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 115-111. NOTE TO USER:

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LaMarcus Aldridge was an All-Star snub, let's just get that out of the way.

Aldridge has been a beast for Portland this year and the only bright spot in an otherwise awful year to be a fan of the Blazers. Who else could possibly get hurt on this team at this point? It's a sad joke that won't end for the Blazers' organization.

It's time to rebuild around the big man and make a run at a championship.

No. 13: Memphis Grizzlies

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 08: Rudy Gay #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies high fives teammate Zach Randolph #50 after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 8, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Grizzlies defeated the Suns 10

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Zach Randolph is another guy who was snubbed from the All-Star Game.

It doesn't matter, though, because Memphis is on a tear, winning eight of the last 10 games, making a push in the Western Conference. With Rudy Gay and Randolph, there's a nice core there for Memphis.

Now if only O.J. Mayo can get it together after his suspension, then the Grizzlies would be in business.

No. 12: Utah Jazz

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz drives past Baron Davis #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Jazz won 103-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

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Utah has struggled recently, but let's not write the Jazz off just yet.

Sure, Utah has had issues this year, but the Jazz have a lot of talent on the team, especially Deron Williams. However, I think the big issue is Al Jefferson. He hasn't done a great job of replacing Carlos Boozer and that's not his fault.

Utah should have known what it was getting into when they acquired him.

No. 11: Denver Nuggets

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during a break in the action against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. NOTE TO USER: Use

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Here we go again with Carmelo Anthony and more trade rumors.

Anthony is tied to the New York Knicks this time around in a three-team deal along with Minnesota. It's yet another distraction for a team that has been swarmed by them all season long. I don't know if anyone expected this team to win with the cloud these rumors have created over the Nuggets.

It's time to start over for Denver and it needs to happen now.

No. 10: Orlando Magic

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 06: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic reacts after he is called for a foul in the second half against the Boston Celtics on February 6, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Magic 91-80. NOTE

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The Orlando Magic are a flat team, and there's nothing else you can say about this squad.

Orlando was beaten by Miami and Boston this week and this team isn't getting any better. The trades the Magic made were nothing more than lateral moves and Orlando is not a contender in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

To add insult to injury, reports came out that said Dwight Howard is already eying up his chance to leave Orlando as a free agent.

No. 9: New Orleans Hornets

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 30: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets puts up a shot over Steve Nash #13 and Channing Frye #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 30, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Hornets

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The New Orleans Hornets are a little dinged up and it shows.

New Orleans is dealing with injuries to Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza and it has slowed the Hornets down after that amazing win streak just a little while ago. The Hornets have the potential to be a real threat in the West, but this up-and-down nature to the season is a cause for concern.

But as long as Chris Paul is healthy, the Hornets will be in games.

No. 8: Atlanta Hawks

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 18: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks posts up against Carlos Arroyo #8 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on January 18, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

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The Atlanta Hawks have moved into the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

For a team that has seen success at home in past trips to the playoffs, that's a huge thing to have. Throw in that the Hawks would host the sputtering Orlando Magic in a possible playoff series and it's even bigger for Atlanta.

Al Horford and Joe Johnson have been huge for the Hawks this year. Not only that, but Josh Smith has been his productive self in Atlanta.

No. 7: Los Angeles Lakers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his defense during a stop in play against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at Staples Center on February 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User

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This may feel a little low, so before Laker fans start freaking out in the comments section, hear me out.

Los Angeles has struggled against the top teams in basketball and we saw that again on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs. If you're Lamar Odom, how do you not get a body on Antonio McDyess on the final play of the game?

It's those lapses that have separated this team from the championship teams the past two years.

No. 6: Oklahoma City Thunder

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 17: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles in front of Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

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Kevin Durant is back ladies and gentleman.

Durant has taken over for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the past week or two and has started to get some serious MVP buzz with his scoring outbursts. With Durant and Russell Westbrook on that team, there's no telling what those two can do in a playoff series.

Don't sleep on the Thunder come playoff time.

No. 5: Chicago Bulls

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls, playing in pain from an ulcer, holds his stomach as a teammate shoots a free-throw against the Orlando Magic at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated

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Derrick Rose has done a great job in Chicago this year, but there's just one piece missing from getting the Bulls over the top.

If Chicago could get a shooting guard, the Bulls would be a very dangerous team come playoff time. That's not to say the Bulls couldn't make a deep playoff run with Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah behind Rose, because they certainly could.

Chicago is a team that could really surprise people in the playoffs. The Bulls have the ability to get to the conference finals and beyond.

No. 4: Miami Heat

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MIAMI - FEBRUARY 06: Forward LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat reacts against the L.A. Clippers at American Airlines Arena on February 6, 2011 in Miami, Florida. The Heat defeated the Clippers 97-79. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t

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LeBron James reminded everyone on Thursday night exactly what he can do on a basketball court.

James ripped the Orlando Magic to shreds and scored at will after Dwight Howard and company made fun of the Miami star before the game. You'd think that a guy like Howard, who knows what LeBron can do, would know better.

Miami has been beating more of the top teams and that's a bad sign for the rest of the league.

No. 3: Boston Celtics

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics yells after scoring a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 109-96. (

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Boston got a big win against Orlando on Sunday after a tough loss on Friday night.

The Celtics were swept by the Dallas Mavericks on Friday and it's a minor setback for a team that is by far the class of the Eastern Conference. There's no doubt that Boston is the team to beat in the East and it will be interesting to see if the Celtics can keep it up.

You have to wonder how long the league is going to let Kevin Garnett get away with what he does to other players and officials on a nightly basis.

No. 2: Dallas Mavericks

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 2, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

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The Dallas Mavericks are playing at a high level right now, but there is room for improvement.

I think the Mavericks are a dark horse in the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes. Dallas can ship out Caron Butler's expiring contract and some other pieces and it would fill a monster need in the Mavericks' lineup at the small forward position.

Doesn't it just make too much sense if you're the Mavericks?

No. 1: San Antonio Spurs

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs faces off against Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 89-88 Spur victory at Staples Center on February 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

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It's plays like the one that decided the game on Thursday night that make the San Antonio Spurs the NBA's best team.

Antonio McDyess made a hustle play and got inside of Lamar Odom and got the tip-in before the buzzer to push San Antonio over the Lakers on Thursday night. The Spurs have a ton of players who do the little things that win championships and it makes them very dangerous.

They may be older, but it doesn't mean they're any less capable of winning a championship.