The Milwaukee Bucks have begun to surge as well after their slow start along with the Indiana Pacers. Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been at the top while teams like the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets,

First kick is just over three weeks away, which means that teams around the league are starting to scramble to fill some holes (or in some cases, to create new holes that will subsequently need to be filled).

The Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler remains at the center of any and all trade discussions, and with the February 6 trade deadline fast approaching, his next destination is still uncertain.

Today, we’ll be focusing on the Eastern Conference reserves, which are voted on by coaches from around the league. Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Karl-Anthony Towns comprise the East’s starting lineup, leaving seven open spots off the bench.

Is there plausibly a scenario where New York might be able to sneak up on Boston and steal the No. 2 seed for the 2025 NBA Playoffs from the Celtics?

The countdown to the trade deadline heated up last last week when the Carolina Hurricanes swung a blockbuster deal to land both Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche and Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Lipscomb Bisons will host conference opponent Eastern Kentucky. The teams meet Thursday for the first time this season.

Bradyn Volz won the 126-pound championship and upped his season record to 27-2 with a fall in 2:48 over Shenandoah’s Dillon Williams. A sophomore, it is the second straight year he has won an individual MEC title. He won the 113-pound class in 2024.

BOTTOM LINE: Nikola Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls visit Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference action. The Celtics have gone 23-9 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is third in the Eastern Conference scoring 117.2 points while shooting 45.7% from the field.

PHOENIX -- With their well-known interest in Jimmy Butler, the Phoenix Suns could reportedly pursue another Eastern Conference star ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported Friday that the Suns could develop interest in Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine:

Eastern Washington Eagles (6-15, 2-6 Big Sky) at Idaho State Bengals (8-10, 3-4 Big Sky) Pocatello, Idaho; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bengals -6; over/under is 139 BOTTOM LINE: Jake O'Neil and Idaho State host Nic McClain and Eastern Washington in Big Sky play.

An Eastern Conference rival has their eyes on acquiring Giannis Antetokounpo despite the Milwaukee Bucks' recent success.