After a bounce-back week, the NBA's Eastern Conference, now up to four teams above .500, is having a relative breakthrough in what's been the largest conference imbalance in league history.
Heading into Thursday's games, the Western Conference owned a 41-20 record against the East, the most lopsided mark since conferences were created in 1950-51. And it's been one of the biggest talking points among players, coaches and executives in the early going.
We break down what league sources are saying around a growing East-West divide, as well as why struggling contenders won't be rushing to make trades, intel on two surprising Rookie of Year standouts and why a young star's contract raised eyebrows in Orlando.