The Boston Celtics enter the regular season's stretch run entrenched as a top contender.
ESPN didn't penalize the Celtics for Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in its updated power rankings. Boston moved up one place to No. 3, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons.
The Celtics responded to consecutive losses against the Thunder and San Antonio Spurs with four straight wins. A returning Jayson Tatum fueled that streak by tallying 78 combined points and 40 rebounds.
Yet the offense stalled on Sunday, shooting 36 percent from the floor and scoring 15 fourth-quarter points in a home loss. Tatum still has some rust to work off after making just nine of 31 field-goal attempts in the last two games.
Those recent shortcomings could hurt the Celtics, as the New York Knicks are now tied with them for second in the Eastern Conference amid a seven-game winning streak. They're both five games behind the Pistons, who have won their last two games without Cade Cunningham.
Joe Mazzulla's squad nevertheless remains in good shape for a deep playoff push. Boston has allowed an NBA-best 107.0 points per game this season and boasts the second-highest offensive rating (120.1) behind the Denver Nuggets.
Wednesday's rematch against the Thunder could provide another useful measuring stick for Boston's title hopes. The defending champions have 12 consecutive victories heading into TD Garden for a colossal showdown that starts at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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