The Celtics, the defending champions, had an outstanding playoff run last year, finishing with a 16-3 record on their way to capturing their 18th title.

The Cavaliers have recently bounced back from a four-game losing streak, highlighted by strong performances from Ty Jerome against the Jazz and Blazers.

With their strong performance, the Celtics are nearly guaranteed to secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, maintaining an eight-game lead over the third-place Knicks.

Key players across the league are making significant impacts, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder and Jimmy Butler for the Warriors, who are struggling without Stephen Curry.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently at the top of the Power Rankings, boasting an impressive 60 wins and a seven-game winning streak.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers have entered the top 10 in the Power Rankings, thanks to standout performances from stars like Kawhi Leonard and Tyrese Haliburton.

The competitive landscape of the league is reflected in the Power Rankings, as numerous teams are still vying for favorable playoff seedings.

As the NBA playoffs approach, the Boston Celtics are demonstrating impressive form, winning 12 of their last 13 games, which positions them as a formidable contender.

Currently, the Celtics hold a record of 54-19, trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers, who lead the league with a 59-15 record, despite the Cavs losing five of their last eight games.

Their upcoming schedule is favorable, featuring only two games against teams with winning records out of their last nine, allowing them to rest key players.

Despite being overlooked earlier in the season, the Celtics are showcasing their championship potential as they ramp up their performance ahead of the postseason.

In contrast, the Cavaliers are facing a challenging schedule, with five upcoming games against teams that have winning records, which could affect their playoff positioning.