Boston has struggled over the last month or so, but the team's underlying numbers show that's no reason to worry. Plus notes on the Lakers' trade deadline plans, Jimmy Butler and more.

One of those is the defending champion Boston Celtics, who — at full health — dropped a disappointing game Wednesday night against a Toronto Raptors team that entered the night with only nine victories. Boston still has elite talent, but it has one glaring issue it seemingly can’t shed.

The Miami Heat feud with Jimmy Butler has brewed for a long time. A local Miami Heat media personality believes it began last summer when team president Pat Ri

It was in the middle of October, in the afternoon, after Jimmy Butler’s infamous practice session, where he took the bench players on his then-team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and beat the starting group.

As always, the NBA trade deadline provides ample storylines, with marquee names potentially on the move, contenders looking to bolster their respective rosters for a playoff push and some organizations fully committing to a second-half tank. The major storylines currently captivating the NBA community are:

A Jimmy Butler trade is complicated for the Suns and Heat. That is why the Bucks could finish the deal with Khris Middleton and Bradley Beal.

Jimmy Butler's seven-game suspension is almost over and he still hasn't been traded. Will he sit out until a deal is done?

The latest development is that, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Heat failed to pay Butler for a period during the summer.

Jackson specifically cites the Boston Celtics' trades for center Kristaps Porzingis and guard Jrue Holiday which resulted in an instant title, and the Milwaukee Bucks' deal for All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, moves that Jackson observes were far bolder than the Heat's summer signings of center Thomas Bryant and shooting guard Josh Richardson.

The defending NBA Champions are back in action on Friday, Jan. 17 when the Boston Celtics host the Orlando Magic at TD Garden in Boston.

The Miami Heat suspended forward Jimmy Butler for two games after he missed the team's Wednesday flight to Milwaukee for the game against the Bucks. Butler use