2012 NBA standings: Mavericks share division, conference lead

The Dallas Mavericks' 109-104 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday put the team at a nice 4-1 start to start the season, a record made even more impressive considering the team is without its best player, Dirk Nowitzki, for the first few weeks of the season.

With the San Antonio Spurs' 106-84 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night, the Spurs are now also at 4-1. The two Texas teams are in a tie for first place in the Southwest Division, which has been the most competitive in the league in the early going. All teams in the division are at .500 or better to start the year, something no other division in the NBA can claim.

The Mavs and Spurs can also claim, no matter how early it is, the top record in the Western Conference right now. Only the New York Knicks, at 3-0, in the Eastern Conference are still undefeated.

Here's a look at the NBA standings through Thursday morning, Nov. 8:

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Team, record (Games behind)

1. New York Knicks, 3-0
2. Boston Celtics, 2-2 (1 1/5)
3. Philadelphia 76ers, 2-2 (1 1/5)
4. Brooklyn Nets, 1-2 (2)
5. Toronto Raptors, 1-4 (3)

Central Division

1. Chicago Bulls, 3-1
2. Milwaukee Bucks, 2-1 (1/2)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers, 2-3 (1 1/2)
4. Indiana Pacers, 2-3 (1 1/2)
5. Detroit Pistons, 0-5 (3 1/2)

Southeast Division

1. Miami Heat, 4-1
2. Atlanta Hawks, 2-1 (1)
3. Orlando Magic, 2-2 (1 1/2)
4. Charlotte Bobcats, 1-2 (2)
5. Washington Wizards, 0-3 (3)

Western Conference

Southwest Division

1. Dallas Mavericks, 4-1
2. San Antonio Spurs, 4-1
3. Memphis Grizzlies, 3-1 (1/2)
4. Houston Rockets, 2-2 (1 1/2)
5. New Orleans Hornets, 2-2 (1 1/2)

Northwest Division

1. Minnesota Timberwolves, 3-1
2. Oklahoma City Thunder, 2-2 (1)
3. Portland Trail Blazers, 2-2 (1)
4. Denver Nuggets, 2-3 (1 1/2)
5. Utah Jazz, 2-3 (1 1/2)

Pacific Division

1. Golden State Warriors, 3-2
2. Los Angeles Clippers, 3-2
3. Phoenix Suns, 2-3 (1)
4. Sacramento Kings, 2-3 (1)
5. Los Angeles Lakers, 1-4 (2)