Toronto’s early wins have been powered by pressure and quick offence after opponents lost the ball. Minnesota has protected its first possession better and has found extra shots on the glass. Sacramento and Memphis meet around a different interior question, with Sabonis facing a Grizzlies frontcourt replacing Edey. Both games should turn on whether scoring runs are followed by stops and completed rebounds.
Quickley and Shead will press Ball and Edwards, but Minnesota committed only 16 and 12 turnovers in its first two games, compared with the 27 and 20 Toronto forced from its opponents. Gobert and the wings also supplied second shots when Edwards struggled against Orlando. DiVincenzo and Toronto’s Bittle remain out after also missing the last games; Leonard played more minutes in Toronto’s second game, so the Raptors retain a late scoring route. Minnesota can release the ball past the first defender, reach the glass and end enough Toronto possessions through McDaniels and Gobert. I’m siding with Minnesota to win.
Sabonis had 18 and 19 rebounds in Sacramento’s first two games, with Acuff and LaVine providing scoring around him. Edey played Memphis’s last game and is now out; Stewart had a short, foul-heavy stint with two rebounds, while Post gave little rebounding in his early minutes. Murray is a current question after playing Sacramento’s last game, and Coward already missed Memphis’s last game. Sacramento’s late scoring against Portland showed the attack; against Memphis it can combine those Sabonis possessions with the defensive rebounds needed to complete a run. I’m siding with Sacramento to win.
