The Bucks’ rebuild has started with two high-scoring defeats, with Milwaukee showing some scoring punch but looking lax defensively. The Sixers’ offseason moves to acquire LeBron James and Jaylen Brown has left them with no shortage of scoring options, but there are gaps defensively.

The Spurs have lost their opening two games, and they may not have things all their own way in Dallas. The Mavericks recorded an impressive 121-105 win over the Indiana Pacers last night, and they have a lot of size to throw at Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs have shifted their starting lineup to include three smaller guards, and the fit hasn’t been great early on.

The Wizards opened their season with a 12-point win over the Bucks, before a competitive defeat to the Toronto Raptors. The Bulls have faced the same opponents, losing by 4-3 in Toronto before edging out the Bucks in a narrower game than the seven-point margin would suggest. The Wizards are betting on a turnaround this year, while the Bulls’ roster looks short on talent and passable defenders.

The Hawks have opened with two convincing wins, but the Houston Rockets are also 2-0 after beating the Spurs 114-110. Houston were 23-7 against the East last season, including two comprehensive wins over Atlanta earlier this year, and they’re a stronger team this time around.

The Nuggets’ talent drain continued this summer, and they scored just 84 points in their opening loss to the OKC Thunder. The Pelicans have lost their first two games by margins of 3 and 1, and they can keep this one fairly close.

The Warriors have posted 105 and 108 points in their two defeats so far, and now their two best scoring options from those two games are missing for this trip to Arizona. Steph Curry is set to be rested, while Brandin Podziemski is injured. The Suns are heavy favourites, but they scored only 83 points in their season opener, and their calling card is their defensive ability, so these two sides could each struggle to crack three figures.

The Wizards opened their season with a 12-point win over the Bucks, before a competitive defeat to the Toronto Raptors. The Bulls have faced the same opponents, losing by 4-3 in Toronto before edging out the Bucks in a narrower game than the seven-point margin would suggest. The Wizards are betting on a turnaround this year, while the Bulls’ roster looks short on talent and passable defenders.

The Wizards opened their season with a 12-point win over the Bucks, before a competitive defeat to the Toronto Raptors. The Bulls have faced the same opponents, losing by 4-3 in Toronto before edging out the Bucks in a narrower game than the seven-point margin would suggest. The Wizards are betting on a turnaround this year, while the Bulls’ roster looks short on talent and passable defenders.

The Hawks have opened with two convincing wins, but the Houston Rockets are also 2-0 after beating the Spurs 114-110. Houston were 23-7 against the East last season, including two comprehensive wins over Atlanta earlier this year, and they’re a stronger team this time around.