NBA Standings & Playoff Picture for December 17

Lebron James and the Cavs are fighting for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. (Getty)

It is hard to believe but 30% of the NBA season has already been completed. The East is defined by parity while the West is led by the Warriors and Spurs. Between the Warriors quest to break the 72-win mark along with the close playoff race in both conferences, the NBA is shaping up to have an exciting finish. Heavy breaks down all the division races and takes an early look at the playoff race. Keep in mind the NBA restructured the playoff format. Seeding is only based on overall record not division winners.

Here is a look at the Eastern Conference standings:

Atlantic

The Raptors have a two-game lead in the Atlantic. (Getty)

1. Toronto Raptors

Record: 16-10 Current Seed in the East: 5th

2. Boston Celtics

Record: 14-12 Current Seed in the East: 10th

3. New York Knicks

Record: 12-14 Current Seed in the East: 11th

4. Brooklyn Nets

Record: 7-18 Current Seed in the East: 14th

5. Philadelphia 76ers

Record: 1-26 Current Seed in the East: 15th

Central

The Cavs are the leaders in the Central division. (Getty)

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Record: 16-7 Current Seed in the East: 1st

2. Chicago Bulls

Record: 15-8 Current Seed in the East: 2nd

3. Indiana Pacers

Record: 15-9 Current Seed in the East: 3rd

4. Detroit Pistons

Record: 15-12 Current Seed in the East: 8th

5. Milwaukee Bucks

Record: 10-17 Current Seed in the East: 13th

Southeast

The Miami Heat are the leaders of the Southeast. (Getty)

1. Miami Heat

Record: 15-9 Current Seed in the East: 4th

2. Charlotte Hornets

Record: 14-10 Current Seed in the East: 6th

3. Orlando Magic

Record: 14-11 Current Seed in the East: 7th

4. Atlanta Hawks

Record: 15-12 Current Seed in the East: 9th

5. Washington Wizards

Record: 10-14 Current Seed in the East: 12th

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

The Cavs have a narrow lead at the top of the Eastern Conference. (Getty)

The difference between the first and the tenth seed in the Eastern Conference is 3.5 games. It is a very close race early on with a number of teams bunched together from three to ten. The Cavaliers find themselves at the top of the Eastern standings but only lead the Bulls by one game.

Here is a look at the Eastern Conference playoff standings:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (16-7)

2. Chicago Bulls (15-8)

3. Indiana Pacers (15-9)

4. Miami Heat (15-9)

5. Toronto Raptors (16-10)

6. Charlotte Hornets (14-10)

7. Orlando Magic (14-11)

8. Detroit Pistons (15-12)

Click the next page button to see the Western Conference standings and the current playoff seeding.

Northwest

The Thunder have a narrow lead in the Northwest division. (Getty)

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Record: 17-8 Current Seed in the West: 3rd

2. Denver Nuggets

Record: 11-14 Current Seed in the West: 8th

3. Utah Jazz

Record: 10-14 Current Seed in the West: 9th

4. Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 11-16 Current Seed in the West: 11th

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Record: 9-16 Current Seed in the West: 13th

Pacific

Steph Curry and the Warriors are off to a record breaking start to the season. (Getty)

1. Golden State Warriors

Record: 25-1 Current Seed in the West: 1st

2. Los Angeles Clippers

Record: 16-10 Current Seed in the West: 2nd

3. Phoenix Suns

Record: 11-16 Current Seed in the West: 10th

4. Sacramento Kings

Record: 10-15 Current Seed in the West: 12th

5. Los Angeles Lakers

Record: 4-21 Current Seed in the West: 15th

Southwest

The Spurs are off to a great start. (Getty)

1. San Antonio Spurs

Record: 22-5 Current Seed in the West: 2nd

2. Dallas Mavericks

Record: 14-12 Current Seed in the West: 5th

3. Memphis Grizzlies

Record: 14-13 Current Seed in the West: 6th

4. Houston Rockets

Record: 12-14 Current Seed in the West: 7th

5. New Orleans Pelicans

Record: 7-18 Current Seed in the West: 14th

Western Conference Playoff Picture

The Warriors are the class of the NBA. (Getty)

The Warriors have separated themselves from the entire NBA, but the Spurs are quietly right behind them. It will be an interesting stretch run between the Warriors and the Spurs. The West trails the East this season in terms of depth. If the playoffs were to start today, two teams with losing records would make it in the Western Conference.

Here is a look at the current Western Conference Playoff standings:

1. Golden State Warriors (25-1)

2. San Antonio Spurs (22-5)

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (17-8)

4. Los Angeles Clippers (16-10)

5. Dallas Mavericks (14-12)

6. Memphis Grizzlies (14-13)

7. Houston Rockets (12-14)

8. Denver Nuggets (11-14)