But, for just these next few moments, let's try to appreciate the NBA regular season. After all, excellence over the course of an 82-game grind is nothing to scoff at, even if the playoffs don't go as you would have hoped.

It’s fitting that the Celtics end the season where they started it — on top of these NBA Power Rankings and as the team to beat in the title chase. Boston is peaking at the right time, having gone 17-2 in their last 19 (best in the league),

Deni Avdija, who's averaged 25.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 3.3 threes over his last 12 games, is undoubtedly the biggest breakout from the over-under-smashing Portland Trail Blazers, but he's not alone.