NBA’s three unbeaten teams all in the Western Conference
Don’t look now, but the only unbeaten teams left in the NBA are in the Western Conference.
Just over a week into the 2014-15 season, the Memphis Grizzlies (5-0), Houston Rockets (5-0) and Golden State Warriors (4-0) are the only teams in the league without an “L” on their record.
Three teams in the Eastern Conference -- the Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors -- are 4-1.
Interestingly, the Grizzlies and Rockets are both in the Southwest Division with the reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs (2-1).
Memphis and Houston will meet for the first time on Nov. 17, with both set to play five more times before that contest, potentially setting up a battle between two 10-0 teams.
Opening the season with a win streak doesn’t guarantee a spot in the NBA Finals. Heck, last season the Philadelphia 76ers opened the year with a 3-0 record before finishing with the second-worst record in the league of 19-63.
The last team to suffer a loss in 2013-14 was the Indiana Pacers, who opened the year with a nine game win streak. The Pacers then didn’t lose two in a row until mid-December.
The Heat, which made it to their fourth consecutive NBA Finals last season, against the Spurs, started out 3-2 before finishing 54-28. Miami downed the Pacers, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference finals.
Last year, San Antonio got off to a 4-1 start on their way to a 62-win season and the organization’s fifth championship.
In 2011-12 and 2012-13, the Heat started off 5-0 and 4-1, respectively, and won consecutive NBA titles.
Going back a little further, the Lakers opened the 2009-10 season with an 8-1 record on their way to their 16th NBA championship.
This season the Lakers are 0-5. The 76ers are the only other team in the league without a win.
Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme
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