The Latest Breaking News from Eastern Conference

Chris Haynes: Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan is expected to be named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February, league sources tell @YahooSports. Source: Twitter @ChrisBHaynes What's the buzz on Twitter? Marc J. Spears @ MarcJSpears ...

NEW YORK — After missing six weeks that turned out to be catastrophic and franchise-altering for the Nets, Kevin Durant is back. The superstar small forward will return Thursday night in Brooklyn against the Eastern Conference-leading Heat.

MIAMI — What could have been viewed as a tune-up before a pivotal stretch against Eastern Conference playoff teams proved to be anything but for the Miami Heat.

NEW YORK — If the playoffs started today, the Nets would qualify for the play-in tournament, which means they’d be one win away from seeding seventh in the Eastern Conference — and two losses away from missing the postseason altogether.

The Bulls need a lot to go right to be perfectly whole for a playoff push, but there is optimism they will be. Some other contending teams in the Eastern Conference can’t say the same.

No one could have envisioned the Nets entering the NBA All-Star break as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Yet here they are, a championship contender fighting for its playoff livelihood in a suddenly stacked conference with at least four other teams (Bucks, Bulls, Heat, Sixers and maybe the…

Explain it? Andrew Brunette gave a small nod and earnest voice to the question of how the Florida Panthers got here — meaning, first place in the Eastern Conference, on the short list of the Stanley Cup contenders and such an all-around good story the franchise that’s never been on…

Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Toronto ... the Eastern Conference was busy moving elite superstar talent as well as perceived finishing pieces, while the Bulls will wait for the buyout market and for some key injuries to heal.

The Hornets star was left off the Eastern Conference All-Star reserves on Thursday night.