Golden State and Phoenix can both score from the perimeter, but their recent shot quality tells a more useful story than their streaks. Phoenix won the earlier meeting despite losing the offensive rebounding battle. It then found another scoring route against Denver with Booker on a quieter night. Golden State's returning veterans change its attack, while its younger group has just carried a heavy game.
Booker can draw help and release Gillespie, Bridges or Brooks into a cleaner first shot. In the earlier meeting, that route survived a major Warriors edge on the glass. Curry and Green are expected back after resting the latest game, but Santos played in that meeting and is now out, removing a wing connector and defensive body. Lendeborg and Podziemski also played substantial minutes in Golden State's latest game.
I expect Golden State to get its spacing and extra shots, with Phoenix testing whether the Warriors can defend a second creator after helping on Booker. Phoenix has already shown it can win this possession contest and produce points without another exceptional Booker night. That's why I'm siding with Phoenix to finish ahead.
