Can Toronto establish a new identity?

Toronto started the season on the right foot, beating a hungry Minnesota team 97-94 at home. The Raptors held the Timberwolves to 34.0 percent shooting from the field, including just 25.8 percent from long range. Toronto won despite being outrebounded 62-47, 16 of which were offensive rebounds. New Raptor Dennis Schroder paced the team with 22 points in his debut

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The Raptors lost fan favorite Fred VanVleet in free agency but picked up Schroder as his replacement. While not the same caliber as his predecessor, the 30-year-old should mesh well with the team’s core. New coach Darko Rajakovic has a few key pieces to move on his chessboard, but is it enough?

Last season, Toronto scored 112.9 points per game (24th) and shot 45.9 percent from the field (27th), including 33.5 percent from long distance (28th). The Raptors’ opponents averaged 111.4 points (4th) and shot 49.1 percent (27th) with a 37.4 shooting percentage from beyond the arc (28th). Toronto ranked 25th in pace of play.

Is Chicago too good for its own good?

Chicago wasn’t up to par in its season debut, falling by 20 points to Oklahoma City. The Thunder shot just under 55 percent from the field and held the Bulls to 41.5 percent, including 28.6 percent from three-point range. The loss was so brutal that it prompted a tense players-only meeting after the game. Are the Bulls too soft to compete in the rough-and-tough East?

Chicago is still missing point guard Lonzo Ball, who hasn’t played in a game since Jan. 14, 2022. Following multiple knee surgeries, the 25-year-old is unlikely to play this season. The team added Jevon Carter in the offseason, hoping that the former Bucks guard will pair well with Alex Caruso. While both are talented, they don’t bring the same package Ball brought to the table when healthy. The Bulls are an intriguing team, though, as DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are a deadly combo when on their A-games.

Last season, Chicago averaged 113.1 points (22nd) and shot 49.0 percent (4th), including 36.1 percent from beyond the arc (16th). Its opponents scored 111.8 points per game (7th) and shot 46.8 percent (8th) with a 35.7 shooting percentage from deep (13th). The Bulls ranked 19th in pace.