Oklahoma City and Phoenix each have a clear first route to points, but the second action should decide how close the game stays. Denver can create through Jokic and Murray, while Golden State's extra shots and returning organizers can keep answering. In both games, the middle quarters set up a demanding final stretch.
Booker and Green can get into ball screens against an Oklahoma City group missing Wallace's point-of-attack defense and Holmgren's rim help. Gillespie and Kennard played useful minutes in Phoenix's last game, giving the Suns another pass or shot after the first action. Oklahoma City still has SGA, Mitchell, Caruso and Hartenstein on the glass, but it is on the second night in a row without Jalen Williams as well. I'm siding with Phoenix to stay close through the finish.
Jokic and Murray can lead Denver through the paint and an eventual late response. Golden State collected nineteen offensive rebounds and scored heavily at Phoenix despite resting Curry, Green, Horford and Podziemski; those organizers are back in the current picture, with Bassey and Brandon Williams probable. Denver let New Orleans reach the paint repeatedly before its own comeback, and the Warriors can pair Curry's first action with Lendeborg, Melton and Ike on second shots. I'm siding with Golden State to keep the final gap narrow.
