NBA Standings 2018-2019: Raptors, Nuggets, Bucks, Warriors Have Best Records In Basketball

Two months into the 2018-2019 NBA season, the Kawhi Leonard trade is proving to be a good one for the Toronto Raptors (23-9). The team has the best record in the league and looks like the biggest challengers to the defending champions.

The Golden State Warriors (21-10) are 1.5 games behind Toronto in the overall NBA standings, in part because of their head-to-head meetings. The Raptors have beaten the Warriors twice. One victory came when Stephen Curry was out with an injury, but Toronto even blew out the Warriors when Leonard was unable to play at Oracle Arena.

The Denver Nuggets (21-9) are a half-game ahead of Golden State for the No.1 seed in the Western Conference. With the Houston Rockets (15-14) struggling and out of the early playoff picture, it could be Denver that is the biggest threat to Golden State in the West.

The Milwaukee Bucks (20-9) are tied with Toronto and Denver for the fewest losses in the league. They might feel good about their chances to beat the Raptors in the playoffs since they are 2-0 against the East’s top seed this season.

The Indiana Pacers (20-11) and Philadelphia 76ers (20-12) give the East four 20-win teams. The West only has two such teams with Christmas less than a week away.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (19-10) and Los Angeles Lakers (18-13) would also have home-court advantage in the first round if the playoffs started now. The Portland Trail Blazers (17-13), Los Angeles Clippers (17-3), Memphis Grizzlies (16-14) and Sacramento Kings (16-14) are all within one game of each other.

The Boston Celtics (18-11) just ended an eight-game winning streak that’s helped them climb the standings after a slow start. The Detroit Pistons (14-14), Charlotte Hornets (14-15) and Orlando Magic (14-15) are in the early playoff picture without winning records.