Through 17 games this season, the Los Angeles Lakers have the best defensive rating (103.6) in the NBA. This time last year, they were ranked seventh in the league with a defensive rating of 103.2.
The team with the second best defensive rating in the NBA this season? The Cleveland Cavaliers, who were ranked 23rd in defensive rating through 17 games last season and ended the season with the worst defensive rating (114.8).
That’s guaranteed to change after they allowed the Boston Celtics to score 141 points against them on Sunday night, but the point still stands: they’ve been a great defensive team all season.