Dec. 2—The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons sit atop their respective conferences as the NBA calendar turns to December, according to the latest league standings released Saturday.
Eastern Conference
Detroit leads the East at 17-4, three games ahead of a three-team logjam featuring the New York Knicks (13-6), Miami Heat (14-7) and Toronto Raptors (14-7). The Orlando Magic follow at 13-8, four games back of first place.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks share identical 13-9 records, 4.5 games off the pace. Boston (11-9) sits 5.5 games behind Detroit, while Philadelphia (10-9) trails by six.
Chicago (9-11) is 7.5 games out, Milwaukee (9-13) is 8.5 back, and Charlotte (6-15) is 11 games off the lead. Brooklyn (4-16) and Indiana (4-17) are separated by half a game, each 12.5 and 13 games back, respectively. Washington rounds out the conference at 3-16, also 13 games behind the Pistons.
Western Conference
Oklahoma City boasts the league’s best record at 20-1, holding a 4.5-game cushion over the Los Angeles Lakers (15-5). Houston (13-5) and Denver (14-6) are 5.5 games behind, while San Antonio (13-6) sits six games off the Thunder’s pace.
Minnesota (12-8) and Phoenix (13-9) are each 7.5 games back. Golden State (11-10) trails by nine, Memphis (9-12) by 11, and Portland (8-12) by 11.5.
Utah (7-13) is 12.5 games behind, Dallas (7-15) 13.5, and both Sacramento and the LA Clippers share 5-16 records, placing them 15 games back. New Orleans occupies the conference cellar at 3-18, 17 games off the lead.
The standings reflect games played through Saturday, Dec. 2.
Source: Hoops Wire
