Toronto's meeting with the Clippers turns on pressure before the first useful catch and the ability to attack inside afterward. The Clippers improved their ball movement in their latest game, while Toronto continued to create chances through several players. Golden State and Phoenix bring another contest between perimeter pressure and an attack with several passing outlets.
Toronto can begin through Quickley, Barnes or Barrett, with Shead helping the second unit. Barnes and Barrett supplied substantial inside scoring against the Lakers, and the team kept finding extra attempts without Poeltl. Across from them, Garland remains the central Clippers creator, with Dunn providing an outlet and Hachimura and Sanders finishing on the wings.
Poeltl remains questionable after his late scratch, and Jones is questionable after playing against Golden State. Toronto's demonstrated attack without its regular center gives this view a basis beyond an assumed return. I expect pressure on Garland's delivery to feed into Barnes and Barrett's interior attacks, with Toronto's alternative initiators helping it sustain offense through substitutions. That's why I'm siding with Toronto to win.
Golden State's supporting group has supplied something concrete alongside the reported returns of Curry and Green. Podziemski delivered eight assists with one turnover against the Clippers, while Lendeborg combined interior scoring with six assists. Curry's scoring and Green's distribution were already working in the preceding Lakers game before both rested.
Current reporting expects both veterans back against Phoenix. Podziemski is also active after missing the first meeting, changing the available passing routes against the Suns' pressure. Phoenix has real continuation through Booker, Gillespie and the returning Ighodaro, but its recent opponents have also sustained scoring inside and at the foul line.
I expect Golden State to use Curry's movement, Green's next pass and Lendeborg's receiving to make Phoenix defend successive actions. The supporting unit has shown it can keep creating during veteran rests, giving the attack continuity beyond one scorer. That's why I'm backing Golden State to win.
