NBA Standings 2019: Milwaukee Bucks Dominating East, Celtics, Heat, 76ers, Champs Fighting For 2nd

The Milwaukee Bucks (24-4) look even better a year after having the best record in basketball. With fewer than two weeks remaining in 2019, the team is dominating the Eastern Conference and the clear favorite to reach the 2020 NBA Finals.

Ahead of their clash with the Los Angeles Lakers (24-4) Thursday night in a battle for the league's best record, Milwaukee has a four-game lead atop the East standings. The Boston Celtics (18-7), Miami Heat (20-8), Toronto Raptors (19-8) and Philadelphia 76ers (20-9) are all seemingly fighting for the No.2 seed.

The Indiana Pacers (19-9) are lurking as the No.6 seed, just a half-game behind Philadelphia. Victor Oladipo hasn’t played this season and is expected to return at some point in the New Year.

The Dallas Mavericks (18-9) snapped Milwaukee’s 18-game winning streak when they upset the Bucks 120-116 Monday. Giannis Antetokounmpo was terrific in defeat, scoring 48 points on 18-31 shooting to go along with 14 rebounds and four assists.

Antetokounmpo is even better after winning last season’s NBA MVP award. He’s the favorite to repeat, improving his scoring average (31.7ppg), rebounding (12.8rpg) and three-point percentage (32.1%). The superstar is also averaging 5.3 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.3 steals in just 31.2 minutes per game, which is his lowest number since he was a rookie in 2013-2014.

Boston managed to beat Milwaukee earlier this season when Kemba Walker scored 32 points. As the No.2 seed with four players performing like borderline All-Stars, the Celtics are making the case to be considered the biggest threat to the Bucks in the East.

The East was largely seen as a two-team race between Milwaukee and Philadelphia before the season began. The 76ers haven’t separated themselves from the rest of the conference, falling to the No.5 seed with a loss at home to the Heat Wednesday night.

Miami has been among the NBA’s most surprising teams in 2019-2020. Jimmy Butler leads the Heat with 20.9 points, 6.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Bam Adebayo is averaging 15.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

The defending champs have been a similar story. Pascal Siakam has filled Kawhi Leonard’s role nicely with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 25.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Fred VanVleet is averaging career highs of 18.0 points and 7.0 assists.

Seven teams in the East have a winning record. Only six teams in the Western Conference are above .500.