NBA Standings 2019: Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers Separating Themselves From Rest Of West

The Western Conference was thought to be wide open at the beginning of the 2019-2020 NBA season, but it’s starting to look like a two-team race between the L.A. rivals. The Los Angeles Lakers (22-3) and Los Angeles Clippers (19-7) are separating themselves from the rest of the conference with both teams hitting the 25-game mark.

The Lakers continue to roll with LeBron James and Anthony Davis performing like MVP candidates. James led the way with a 25-point triple-double in Wednesday’s 96-87 victory over the Orlando Magic (11-13). It was the Lakers’ 15th win in their last 16 games. The team has a 3.5-game lead as the West’s No.1 seed, tied for the best record in the NBA.

In Kawhi Leonard’s return north of the border, the Clippers blew out the Toronto Raptors (16-8) 112-92 Wednesday night. The two-time NBA Finals MVP is averaging 24.9 points per game, pushing the Clippers into the West’s No.2 seed through the first third of the season.

The Dallas Mavericks (16-7) and Houston Rockets (16-8) are the third and fourth seed, respectively, with three fewer wins than the Clippers. Dallas leads the NBA with 116.9 points per 100 possessions. Houston is third in offensive rating with James Harden scoring a league-high 38.7 points per game. Harden scored 55 points in the Rockets’ most recent win over the Cleveland Cavaliers (5-19).

The Lakers are up to fourth in offensive rating. It was the defense that initially catapulted them to the top of the conference. The Lakers are fourth in defensive rating, allowing 103.1 points per 100 possessions.

The Milwaukee Bucks (22-3) are first in defensive rating and second in offensive rating. It’s why they are tied with the Lakers for the best record in basketball and potentially set to run away with the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference for a second straight year.

Even as Giannis Antetokounmpo sat with quad soreness Wednesday, Milwaukee easily defeated the New Orleans Pelicans (6-19) 127-112. Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton combined to score 53 points in Antetokounmpo’s absence. The reigning NBA MVP is the favorite to win the award again this season.

The Miami Heats (18-6) and Boston Celtics (17-6) are second and third in the East, respectively. The Philadelphia 76ers (18-7) are still considered to be Milwaukee’s biggest competition.