NBA Standings 2019: Los Angeles Lakers Own Best Record, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers Lead East

The Los Angeles Clippers (5-2) started the 2019-2020 NBA season as the favorites to win the title, but it’s the other L.A. team that owns the league’s best record in the early going. The Los Angeles Lakers (6-1) sit alone atop the overall standings through the first two weeks of the regular season.

The Lakers extended their winning streak to six games Tuesday night, defeating the Chicago Bulls 118-112 in comeback fashion. Los Angeles outscored Chicago 38-19 in the fourth quarter, led by LeBron James’ 30 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

James is probably the very early NBA MVP with three straight triple-doubles and a league-high 11.1 assists per game. He’s scored at least 20 points in every game since the Lakers lost to the Clippers on Opening Night.

The Clippers are tied with the Denver Nuggets (5-2) and Phoenix Suns (5-2) for the second-best record in the Western Conference. When Los Angeles hosts the Milwaukee Bucks (5-2) Wednesday night, Kawhi Leonard will sit for the second time this season because of load management.

Nine teams in the West are above .500. Six Eastern Conference teams own winning records.

After leading the NBA with 60 wins last season, Milwaukee is a half-game out of the top spot. The Philadelphia 76ers (5-1) are the early No.1 seed, and they are expected by many to ultimately meet the Bucks in the conference finals.

The Boston Celtics (5-1) are tied with Philadelphia for the East’s top spot. Like the Lakers, the Celtics are undefeated since losing their season opener. The 76ers beat the Celtics handily in the first game of the season.

Gordon Hayward led Boston with 39 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in Tuesday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers (2-5). Hayward is one of three Celtics averaging more than 20 points per game. Kemba Walker leads the team with 26.0 points per contest.

The Miami Heat (5-2) are also a half-game behind Boston and Philadelphia for the East’s top spot. The defending champion Toronto Raptors (4-2) are alone in the East’s No.5 spot.