Which NBA Teams Had A Strong Start to The Season?

Looking back at the first two months of the NBA season, we’ve had a few surprises on both ends of the table. The Warriors lay low at the bottom of the Western Conference, while the Lakers have hit the ground running with a new look defense and clinical offense taking them to the top. In the Eastern Conference, the Celtics and Bucks look set to battle it out for top spot along with surprise package, the Heat.

While it’s still early in the season, there has been enough evidence to show who the stronger teams will be leading up to the playoffs. In each conference, there have been standout players who have helped to inspire their teams forwards. 

It might be too early to predict the winner, but taking a closer look at the NBA teams with the strongest start to the season will help inform your predictions on the winners and losers. Here are the strongest teams in each conference.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference boasted the first Canadian NBA championship team in the Raptors last season. The Raptors lost key players in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, but still look on course for the playoffs. From the early season form, the Raptors wouldn’t be the Eastern Conference favorites. The favorites would be the Bucks, Celtics and Heat.

Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo won the NBA MVP for 2019, and has not backed off the pace. This season he has led the Bucks to the top of the Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo is in the top three NBA player stats for both points and rebounds this season. His 24 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists against the Trail Blazers shows his championship winning ability.

Antetokounmpo has support from teammates like Brook Lopez, who is second in the league for blocks, and Khris Middleton. Everyone in the team will need to pull their weight if this is to be the Bucks second championship after 1971.

The start to this season is the second best in Bucks history behind the 1971 championship season. That season, the Bucks finished with a 66-16 record. Antetokounmpo and his teammates will feel that is within their reach.

Celtics

The Celtics had arguably the best start to this season in the NBA. From 26 October to 16 November, they won 10 on the spin. The Celtics current winning percentage ranks as their fifth best in the NBA. 

Kemba Walker, Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown look in inspired form this season. Walker is in the NBA’s top five for three-pointers made so far, and is terrific form. Tatum and Brown are terrorizing teams from the wings. The duo are young and skillful, and possess the height and mobility to add value in defense.

The Cetlics have the youngest team in the NBA this season, and will be hoping that they are building something special with this group. The start to this season gives a positive diagnosis.

Heat

The Heat have surprised many with their start to the season. Jimmy Butler has had an immediate impact with the Heat since joining in the offseason, and the team looks to have real chemistry. Butler is the Heat’s top scorer and currently leads the NBA stats for steals this season.

A key aspect to the Heat’s form is that they currently have seven players averaging over 10 points per game. The Heats improvement from with three-pointers and the addition of Butler have been pivotal in their form. Their winning percentage is second only to the 2013 championship winning season. Time will tell how well they can maintain this form.

Western Conference

The Western Conference has dominated the NBA over the past five seasons thanks to the Warriors. This season, the Warriors have effectively given up their crown as they sit bottom of the conference. Based off their early season form, the heirs to the throne could be the Lakers, Rockets or Nuggets. The Clippers look to be finding their form, but they didn’t have the strongest start to the season.

Lakers

The Lakers top almost all NBA power rankings at the moment, and with good reason. They have dominated the league both offensively and defensively and look to have secured a championship winning roster.

LeBron James has finally showed the Lakers faithfuls his true presence on the court. Last season, injuries stopped him from making the type of impact he was known for in the Eastern Conference. This season he is leading the NBA in assists, as well as scoring over 25 points per game. 

James has found a real partnership with new arrival Anthony Davis. Davis has been lethal on attack, also averaging over 25 points per game. In defense, Davis tops the NBA stats for blocks. Having the pair of James and Davis fit and in form is only going to increase their championship credentials.

The Lakers defense has improved dramatically this season, and are one of the top two defensive teams along with the Utah Jazz. Head coach Frank Vogel deserves recognition for how quickly he’s tightened up the defense while allowing players like Davis and James to shine offensively.

Rockets

The Rockets went on a James Harden inspired eight-game hot streak in November. Harden has been deadly from three, leading the NBA stats for three-pointers made as well as the top points scorer.

Outside of Harden, the Rockets have Russell Westbrook who is averaging over 21 points per game. Having two players of that quality will always give you a chance of going all the way in the NBA playoffs. 

Nuggets

The Nuggets have been consistently good at the start of this season. Their win over the Rockets perhaps shows that they are potential contenders for the championship. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are averaging over 17 points per game, with three other teammates averaging over 10 points as well. 

Jokic is their main player, and although he has had a slower start this season, he has still managed to almost average a double-double with 9 rebounds per game. 

All in all, a lot could change by April in both conferences. If one of these teams can maintain their early season form, they could be the NBA champions come June 2020.