New York's extra possessions and Philadelphia's varied shot creation should pull this opener in different directions. The Knicks can extend possessions through Towns and Drummond, while the 76ers can create first looks through several starters. In Yamagata, the home side's high recoveries and wide runs meet Sapporo's right-side exits and work at corners. Both games turn on whether repeated entries become clean shots and whether the next defensive possession is secured.
Brunson and Towns give New York its first look, and Towns or Drummond can collect a miss for another attempt. Philadelphia answers with Embiid inside, Maxey and Brown from the perimeter, and James moving the ball. Those four played the 76ers' latest preseason game. New York won its Toronto game through extra attempts but still allowed a heavy fourth-quarter reply.
Philadelphia's listed absences are in its reserve group, with Bona, Simons and Wade still questionable in the latest official report. Hart was absent from New York's last preseason game, though the current report lists no Knicks player. Embiid's minutes and New York's second shots should shape the middle quarters; the late stretch asks whether the Knicks can turn rebounds into scores and then get stops. That's why I'm siding with Philadelphia to stay close.
Yamagata have pressed higher and brought Sugii and Kawai forward, but their recent pressure against Sendai and Fujieda produced more access than clean finishes. Sapporo can move through Uchida and Horigome on the right, while Horigome's corner delivery to Nishino has already produced a goal. Yamagata have conceded four of nine goals from set plays, so that first contact and the next ball matter as much as the number of home attacks.
Morioka left Yamagata's last match with a leg injury; his status remains unconfirmed. Shirai has a diagnosed calf strain and missed Sapporo's last match, but Aoki, Kido, Uchida and Nishino were involved and keep the wide and restart routes available. Yamagata can push the tempo early, with Sapporo answering from right-side switches and corners as the match opens up. That's why I'm siding with Sapporo to avoid defeat.
