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The 2019-20 NBA season got underway last week and the Western Conference is packed with teams that believe they can contend following the demise of the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have advanced from the West in five consecutive seasons, although Steve Kerr's team has lost back-to-back games following the summer departures of Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, and DeMarcus Cousins.
Meanwhile, much of the West has been locked in an arms race that has resulted in Russell Westbrook teaming up with James Harden and Mike Conley joining the Utah Jazz. Evidently, competition in the West is now at an all-time high, and even the Phoenix Suns could be among the contenders for a playoff spot after making a solid start to the season.
However, a number of teams in the West have stood out for various reasons during the first week of the season, and here we will take a look at Top 5 Western Conference teams ahead of Week 2 of the 2019-20 NBA season.
#5 Minnesota Timberwolves - Current Record: 3-0
The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the new season as one of the few teams in the West that was expected to be out of the race for a playoff spot. However, the Wolves are just one of the three teams in the West that have yet to lose and are currently the only team in the entire NBA with three wins. Minnesota opened their season with a thrilling overtime win against a Nets team that had Kyrie Irving drop 50 points, before following that up with a comfortable 121-99 win over the Hornets.
The Wolves then improved to 3-0 last night thanks to a hard-fought win over the Miami Heat. Minnesota outscored Miami 39-25 in the final quarter as Andrew Wiggins scored 16 of his 25 points during a four-minute stretch. Karl-Anthony Towns has also started the season in monstrous form, averaging 32 points and 13.3 rebounds, and the Wolves suddenly look like a playoff team despite little hype entering the season.
#4 Portland Trail Blazers - Current Record 2-1
The Trail Blazers looked sluggish at times during their opening night defeat to the Denver Nuggets, although Damian Lillard and company have quickly recovered to move up the Western Conference.
After getting the better of the Sacramento Kings in their second game, the Trail Blazers handed Dallas a first loss of the season last night thanks to an excellent late second-half performance. The Mavericks played well for long periods, although the backcourt pairing of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum once again proved all the difference.
The newly acquired Hassan Whiteside has also looked sharp, averaging 14.7 points and 14.0 rebounds in just 26.0 minutes per contest. Additionally, Portland's bench looks better than last season, and last season's Western Conference Finalists are once again in a strong position to compete.
#3 Los Angeles Lakers - Current Record 2-1
The Los Angeles Lakers' season didn't get underway as planned as they fell to a 112-102 opening night defeat to the LA Clippers at Staples Center. The performances of Anthony Davis and LeBron James were widely criticized, although the Lakers and their superstar pairing have since found form. Firstly, the Lakers restricted the Utah Jazz to just 86 points during a dominant home win before Frank Vogel's men swept aside the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night to improve to 2-1.
Through three games, LeBron James is just two rebounds shy of averaging a triple-double, while Anthony Davis has contributed 25 points while also improving his shooting percentage from three-point range. Danny Green has also made an immediate impact on a Laker team that lacked reliable wings last season, while Dwight Howard was excellent during last night's win over his former team.
#2 Denver Nuggets - Current Record 2-0
The Denver Nuggets entered the new season as one of the favorites in the West and the team has impressed through two games. The Nuggets began with a trip to Portland and Michael Malone's team was able to come away with an eight-point win over a Blazers team that eliminated them from last season's playoffs.
Denver then defeated the Phoenix Suns in overtime to improve to 2-0 as Nikola Jokic picked up his first triple-double of the new campaign. Jamal Murray also contributed 27 points after experiencing a difficult opening night, while Jerami Grant has also made an immediate impact from the bench. Ultimately, this Denver team has yet to hit top form, although they are already looking like a force in the West.
#1 Los Angeles Clippers - Current Record: 2-1
The Los Angeles Clippers may have suffered a surprise defeat to the Phoenix Suns during their third game of the season, however, this takes little away from the fact that the team was nothing short of excellent during Week 1 wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
The Clippers looked far superior to a Lakers team that contains two of the NBA's best in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and only an inspired performance from Danny Green kept the game from becoming a blowout. Doc Rivers' team also swept aside the Warriors in their debut at Chase Center - solidifying their status as the frontrunners for the title.
Individually, Kawhi Leonard has been terrific, averaging 26 points and eight assists over three games, while role-players such as Lou Williams and Montrezl Harris have demonstrated why the Clippers boast the best roster in the NBA. With Paul George also set to return in the coming weeks, the Clippers remain favorites for the title.
