Why are the Utah Jazz ahead of the Lakers in the Western Conference standings?

Lakers are number 5 in the west and Jazz are number 4 but the Lakers have the better record!!!

Lakers: 30-16

Jazz: 30-18

Jazz lost more games, they should be behind the lakers.

Why are the Utah Jazz ahead of the Lakers in the Western Conference standings?nba graphics

Unfortunately, it's an imperfect system. The league rewards division leaders and assures them of at least the #4 seed come playoff time.

I, personally, don't agree with it as well. I think it should solely be based on win/loss record. If there's a tie, you just base it on head to head record.

Why are the Utah Jazz ahead of the Lakers in the Western Conference standings?nba live 2007 ,nba teams

Sometimes these things are based on who won the face to face matchups, im not positive but it could be that the Jazz beat the Lakers twice when they faced eachother, i know that it is the basis for playoff seeding in the NFL
maybe that's last weeks version this week we will be above them because we do ahave the better record a better margin of victory %26amp; we actually beat them twice this season so the only thing I can come up with is that last week they had a better record when the standings were release but since then were 3 and 1 in our last four so we will be above the Jazz when the rankings is updated
they play in different divisions; the division leaders are automatically in the playoffs with the 5 best record teams in each conference... so the division leader could hold a higher ranking than an opposing team in another division with a higher record... not the best ways to rank teams but that is how things are done currently.
cause there prob. leading there division
Only because Jazz is a division leader.

A division leader will be rewarded at least a fourth seeded position.

However if playoff starts now, Lakers will still have home court advantages.

Hope it helps.
doesnt make sense to me. it will prolly change soon ne way
LOOK AT THE STATS AND SEE WHO IS WINNING THE MAGORITY OF THOUGHS LIKE PIONT ASSISTIS BLOCK ECT...