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.

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?

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.

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:

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.

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.

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

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

The Minnesota Timberwolves have one of the hottest names on the trade market with Julius Randle. The trade deadline is next week, which means Minnesota is expected to be actively shopping the 30-year-old forward. According to SNY reporter Ian Begley, the Miami Heat have some interest in acquiring Randle.

The starters for the Eastern Conference were announced as guard Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, guard Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, center Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks, forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, and forward Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.