BOTTOM LINE: Detroit takes on Houston for a non-conference matchup. The Rockets are 14-6 on their home court. Houston is the Western Conference leader with 14.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Alperen Sengun averaging 3.4.

Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce has identified an Eastern Conference team on the brink of making significant strides in the NBA in the coming seasons. Paul Pierce, a 20-year veteran who cemented his legacy with the Boston Celtics—including winning an NBA championship in 2008 and being named Finals MVP—knows what it takes for a team to contend.

The Detroit Pistons have won 10 of their last 12 games, and could move into the 6th spot in the East on Thursday night.

He provides a direct link to the good old days, as he was Greg Vanney’s top assistant from 2015 to 2019 when the Reds were on top of the Eastern Conference. As of this writing, Toronto haven’t ...

Boston Celtics (29-13, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (21-20, 10th in the Western Conference) San Francisco; Monday, 5 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -5.5; over/under is 221.

Notable additions: Elias Lindholm ($7.75 million x seven years), Nikita Zadorov ($5 million x six years), Joonas Korpisalo and Mark Kastelic (acquired alongside a 2024 first-round pick in exchange for Linus Ullmark)

At the start of the season, the Western Conference was much deeper than the Eastern Conference, with as many as 11 teams boasting records above .500 through November and early December. However ...

A third of the way through the NBA season, the Eastern Conference looks to have a handful of worthy contenders, a couple of teams with major trade deadline decisions to make and a handful of teams tanking for Cooper Flagg.

BOTTOM LINE: Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Cleveland Cavaliers in a non-conference matchup. The Timberwolves are 10-9 on their home court. Minnesota is third in the Western Conference in team defense, allowing just 107.6 points while holding opponents to 45.3% shooting.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Phoenix Suns vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA game to be played on January 20, 2025 on ESPN.

"We've gotta get our stuff together, simple as that," Giannis Antetokounmpo said after another blowout loss in New York this season.

Since the season’s onset, the Boston Celtics have led as NBA Eastern Conference favorites, while the Cleveland Cavaliers remain underrated. Is it a done deal?