Boston Celtics ranked third overall in NBA’s inaugural 2023-24 power rankings

So why No. 3 and not higher?

Weekly NBA power rankings are back with the start of the league’s 2023-24 season upon us, and the NBA has put out its own with the Boston Celtics making a good if not great showing given the fact that the storied ball club is expected by sportsbooks to win the 2024 NBA Championship.

In the Association’s first power rankings of the 2023-24 NBA season, the Celtics come in third overall, just behind the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets in reverse order, with the reigning champs No. 1. Ahead of the Phoenix Suns at No. 4, Boston is so ranked per the NBA’s John Schuhmann because “the Celtics probably can’t be better than they were last season, when they ranked second on both ends of the floor.”

“But they can be better prepared to win in the playoffs, and Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are here to help them do just that.”

So why No. 3 and not higher? “Losing Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and Robert Williams III could take some of the bite out of the Celtics’ defense, which, when locked in, was tough to penetrate,” writes Schuhmann.

“Can this new group reach that level?” Soon, we will find out.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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