NBA Standings 2019: Lakers, Clippers Off To Hot Starts, 76ers, Spurs, Timberwolves Undefeated Early

The 2019-2020 NBA season is a week old, and the two teams with the highest expectations are off to hot starts. The Los Angeles Clippers (3-1) have looked every bit like the favorites to win the championship, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ (3-1) only defeat came on Opening Night to their in-town rivals.

On Tuesday night, Anthony Davis showed just why the Lakers gave up a few promising young players and several draft picks for the chance to pair him with LeBron James. The big man scored 40 points and grabbed 20 rebounds while taking just 17 field-goal attempts in a 120-91 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Davis ranks fifth in scoring (28.8) and seventh in rebounding (12.5) through four games. LeBron James is averaging 23.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. His 9.5 assists per game are good for third in the league.

The Lakers lead the NBA with an average plus-11.4 point differential.

Kawhi Leonard’s 27.0 points per game are eighth in the NBA. The Clippers are playing well without Paul George, who is expected to return from a shoulder injury in November.

The two L.A. teams are among seven Western Conference teams with at least three wins. The Minnesota Timberwolves (3-0) are the only team in the group that didn’t make the 2019 NBA playoffs. Minnesota is led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who ranks second with 32.0 points per game and fourth with 13.3 rebounds per game.

The San Antonio Spurs (3-0) are the West’s only other undefeated team. San Antonio has beaten the New York Knicks (1-3), Washington Wizards (1-3) and Portland Trail Blazers (2-2).

The Philadelphia 76ers (3-0) are the lone team in the Eastern Conference that has a perfect record. Philadelphia and the Milwaukee Bucks (2-1) are the only two teams that are considered to have a real chance to win the East and reach the 2020 NBA Finals.

The Miami Heat (3-1) and defending champion Toronto Raptors (3-1) are the only other teams in the conference that are at least two games above .500.

The Indiana Pacers (0-3), New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) and Sacramento Kings (0-4) are all still searching for their first win. Victor Oladipo and Zion Williamson remain out with injuries.