Your weekly look at the NBA and what you need to know about the standings and schedule for the week of December 5.
Inside the standings
Click here for the full NBA standings.
A quick tiers check to get us started as December begins. Yes, all of this is too early, but this is just to let you know where teams stand in case you haven't been paying attention.
East No. 1
In the hunt: Cavaliers, Raptors
Don't be at all surprised if the Raptors wind up in the top spot for a stretch. The Cavs are coasting right now, and losing some games because of it. At some point, LeBron James is going to take his annual sabbatical, and there's a good reason to believe Cleveland will drop the games you would expect if that happens. Toronto's just a game back, and has been the most consistent team in the East.
East homecourt first round
*Locks: Cavaliers, Raptors
In the hunt: Celtics, Bucks, Bulls, Hornets, Knicks, Pistons
Boston's defense is sliding back again, and they aren't getting good wins, but they're just getting lots of wins. Milwaukee came out of nowhere but with Giannis Antetokounmpo playing like this, are a legit threat. (Though they did play the Nets twice in the last week.) Right now, I'd give the edge for the other two homecourt spots to Boston by virtue of schedule, and Chicago, though I continue to be really impressed with Charlotte and think they may be the third best team in the East overall.
*As much of a lock as you can be in early December, based on what we know, anyway
East 7th-8th seeds
In the hunt: Knicks, Pistons, Pacers, Hawks, Magic
The instinct here is to say that Atlanta will get Paul Millsap back, right the ship, and correct things, but the losses have been so catastrophic -- they're a minus-150 over the past ten games-- that nothing can be taken for granted. After thinking they were categorically the worst team in the league for two weeks, I'm slowly starting to believe in the Magic's formula of "defend as well as any team in the league (3rd in defensive efficiency) and make just enough shots to give you a chance). However, the Knicks right now seem like the closest thing to a lock, and I wouldn't be surprised if they work themselves into a 5-seed if they can avoid a plummet like last year. Detroit was hard to figure out without Reggie Jackson.
West No. 1 seed
In the hunt: Warriors, Spurs, Clippers
The Warriors have claimed the No.1 spot and it's hard to see them losing it any point. The Spurs are just one game back, but their defense has been so shaky and their schedule has been so soft in this winning stretch. The Clippers have looked like the best overall team when they win and a terrible squad in losses. There are also concerning quotes out of the Clippers' locker room which can't be ignored about their consistency. So yeah, about what you'd think, the Warriors are a near-lock here.
West homecourt first round
Locks: Warriors, Spurs, Clippers
The West, with the injury to Mike Conley, is a three-team conference. These three are several steps over the others and barring injury, they won't slip any further than fourth.
In the hunt: Rockets, Thunder, Grizzlies, Jazz
Houston's resume is better than San Antonio's and their schedule has been harder. Houston has more nights than the Spurs where they "just don't have it," but they also have big wins over good teams. I'd say Houston's a near-lock if Harden's healthy for that fourth spot. OKC hasn't shown consistency vs. good teams or bad teams, Memphis' injuries are the problem many feared they would be, and Utah's had an injury bug as well.
The Jazz are the wrench, here. If they get healthy, their team is good enough to get as high as the 3rd seed. They just can't get guys active.
West 7th-8th seeds
In the hunt: Grizzlies, Blazers, Lakers
As of right now, this is about it. Memphis has the injuries, but it always finds a way to scrap out games and make the playoffs no matter what. Conley's not out the whole year, and Parsons' return in a few weeks could give the Grizzlies a boost. I think they're a near-lock, but the exhaustion factor, combined with a tough division schedule, could do them in.
Portland's a near-lock by virtue of the rest of the West being bad. I'm not convinced in the Lakers, Kings, Pelicans or the Nuggets making a run, and even though the Blazers have the worst defense in the league per 100 possessions, they will have enough to win this out. The Lakers are hanging but as the schedule has balanced itself out, so has their record. They're worth including here, but I'm skeptical.
What to watch this week
Game of the Week
| DATE | AWAY | HOME | TIME | TV/STREAM |
| Wednesday, Dec. 7 |  |  | 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN app |
Schedule | Warriors weekly preview
Clippers-Warriors, Clippers-Warriors, Clippers-Warriors ... The big one is Wednesday, with the Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), who have signature wins against the Spurs, Cavs, Bulls and Grizzlies, trying to add the shiniest jewel in their win collection. The Clippers have played badly for two weeks but still beat the Cavs. They have always matched up well with the Warriors, at least as well as any team matches up with them, and there's real hatred there.
For the Warriors, if they win this game, all drama about their season ends. Sure, anything can happen in May and June, but it will just be a wait to get there. The Warriors loathe the Clippers and take real glee in not just beating them, but humiliating them the way they did in the preseason. There's just a lot more on the line here for the Clippers than the Warriors, but it'll be a fun game regardless.
Are the Knicks for real? The Knicks face the Heat (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass) and Cavs (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN) before traveling to Sacramento Friday (10:30 p.m. ET, League pass) and facing the Lakers Sunday (9:30 p.m. ET, League Pass). They're above .500 and playing great offensively. Facing the Cavs is a likely loss, but they have a good shot in the other three. The Lakers game, in particular, is big. That's a game most teams lose, because they'll travel to L.A. Friday night after the Kings game, and have all day and night Saturday in Los Angeles with all its fun to be had.
Can they buckle down and beat a pretty fun and dangerous Lakers team? If they come out of this week 3-1 or 4-0, the hype train will be out of control with Kristaps Porzingis and Co.
Rocket funball. The Rockets are the best league pass team right now, and they have three fun matchups against the Celtics Monday (7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV) , Lakers Wednesday (8:00 p.m. ET, League Pass) and Thunder Friday (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN). Those are three up-and-down, fast-pace, gun-gun-gun games. Can James Harden keep up his berserk tear of triple-double games?
