The Chicago Bulls (0-0) enter their new campaign with more questions than answers after finishing in last place in the Central Division in 2018, and will be hard pressed to exceed the 27 wins they earned after failing to make a splash with off-season acquisitions. One order of business the franchise did take care of was locking up Zach LaVine to a four-year contract following his arrival from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the middle of last season. Through 24 starts with the Bulls, LaVine averaged 14.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and three assists. Chicago will be turning to Lauri Markkanen to build on an impressive rookie effort, one that saw him lead the team both in scoring and off the glass, with a nightly average of 15.2 points and 7.5 boards. New to the lineup will be Jabari Parker, ex of the Milwaukee Bucks, who will play in rotation with Bobby Portis behind Markkanen. Entering his fifth season, Parker brings with him career averages of 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. Head Coach Fred Hoiberg may find himself on the hot seat sooner rather than later if it's not apparent that that tide is turning for the Bulls, a team that hasn't won a Playoff series since 2015.

Tuesday night's season opener saw the Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) fall to the Boston Celtics at TD Center, as a favorite to make a deep push in the Eastern Conference this year was simply outgunned by a surging Boston unit. In what some observers believe could be a potential Eastern Finals preview, the Sixers were abysmal from deep, shooting a combined 5-of-26 from long range. Still, there were signs that things are moving in a positive direction for the club, as Ben Simmons shone, coming just shy of a triple-double behind 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, going 7-of-14 from the paint in the process. Joel Embiid displayed flashes of brilliance on a handful of highlight plays en route to a team-leading 23 points and 10 boards for a double-double. Sophomore Markelle Fultz, making his debut in the starting five after an injury-maligned 2017-18, had a pedestrian showing with only five points in 24 minutes played, while JJ Reddick came off the bench to post 16 points and a pair of triples. Philadelphia won last year's season series against Chicago, 2-1.