Philadelphia–Cleveland turns on the next pass after the first screen, with both teams able to move creation between several players. Philadelphia has already shown coordinated screening and defensive switches, while Cleveland brings a different rolling and passing challenge through Mobley. Oklahoma City–Denver presents a related contest: pressure on the first action against an offense with several ways to begin again.
Philadelphia can run through Maxey, then settle into actions involving James, Brown and Embiid. Its opener included a layered screen that freed a perimeter shot and another version with Bona that let Maxey attack a closeout. Brown switching onto the screener early and James covering the next passing lane also gave Nurse concrete ways to protect Embiid's position. Harden finding Mobley behind that first help, with Mitchell attacking the other side, is the tactical contest I expect to shape Cleveland's possessions.
Allen and Wade are listed as questionable in the latest verified report. Allen's interior finishing and rim protection remain part of the matchup assessment; Philadelphia's attacking case stands with him involved. Wade missed the opener, while Bona, Simons and Caldwell-Pope played, giving Philadelphia actual reserve contributions to build from. I expect early Maxey attacks, followed by more deliberate screening exchanges as the rotations settle. Philadelphia also answered when New York cut its lead to one late, and that combination of connected offense and an observed response under pursuit is why I'm siding with Philadelphia to win.
In the other match, Wallace and Caruso can make Murray work to start Denver's offense, but Jokic offers a passing hub beyond that first action. Gordon and Braun provide finishing targets, with Johnson stretching the defense. DeRozan and Tyus Jones each supplied passing production in the final preseason game, giving Denver organizers for the reserve possessions as well.
Oklahoma City's attacking connection is clear: Shai draws help and McCain finds space outside. Denver's starter defenders have the central job of containing that first drive. Strawther's absence removes reserve shooting, and Spencer Jones remains questionable; the projected return of Gordon to the starting group restores a cutting and finishing option. Oklahoma City's listed absentees were also inactive in its opener, so its recent rotation is the relevant starting point.
I expect the opening possessions to test Denver's entries to Jokic, then the substitutions to bring DeRozan and Tyus into the creation work. Oklahoma City built a large opener lead, but San Antonio narrowed it before Shai and McCain answered. Denver's ability to move from one organizer to another gives it a concrete route to keep scoring through those exchanges. That's why I'm backing Denver to stay close.
