The Los Angeles Lakers might have the best record at the moment in the National Basketball Association at 21 wins and three losses, but one could make the argument that the Milwaukee Bucks have had the slightly better start at 20 wins and three losses. That is because the Bucks have scored 2783 points and have given up 2471 points. That is a points for and against of +312, the fourth-best points for and against differential after 23 games in NBA history according to ESPN.
The Lakers meanwhile are currently at +220 after their first 23 games. They scored 2606 points in 2019-20 compared to surrendering 2386 points.
The only three teams with the better for and against differential than the Bucks after 23 games in NBA history are the 1969-70 New York Knicks (+354), the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (+335) and the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors (+313).
The Bucks meanwhile are red hot. They have won 14 straight games after their 119-91 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. In the streak, they have outscored their opponents 1705-1472.
In the Bucks win over the Clippers, Pat Connaughton of Arlington, Massachusetts had the highest points for and against differential on the Bucks at +35. Giannis Antetokounmpo of Athens, Greece recorded a double-double as he had 27 points and 11 rebounds.
Basketball fans will have to circle Thursday, December 19 on their calendar. That is when the Bucks will face the Lakers. On Sunday, Anthony Davis made NBA headlines when he scored 50 points in a 142-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The only other Lakers will 50+ points in a single game this decade are LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
Before the Bucks game against the Lakers next Thursday, they will face the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks. The Bucks would be the favourite in all five of those games.
