Portland's pace and interior rebounding meet Phoenix's guard creation and pressure. The game can swing when the second units test ball security. The Lakers and Warriors have different ways to attack the center position, while Curry's movement tests the Lakers' coverage. The Clippers and Kings bring new rotations into a contest shaped by ball handling and extra possessions around the rim.
Phoenix's Gillespie and Goodwin can pressure Portland's reserve handling, and Booker and Green provide scoring when the game slows. Portland still has Morant's drives and Clingan's rebounding, but Phoenix can use Ighodaro and Maluach after Williams's absence; Maluach rebounded well in the last exhibition. Sharpe missed Portland's finale, and Avdija played before his ankle question. Phoenix has several perimeter responses to Portland's early pushes. That's why I'm siding with the Phoenix Suns to keep this game close or win.
The Lakers can create with Dončić and Reaves feeding Kessler, while Curry and Green can pull that center coverage into repeated decisions. Podziemski played Golden State's finale but is now out, so Melton and Payton take more of the pressure and secondary handling work. Curry played that finale and is expected to play; Dončić, Reaves and Kessler also played the Lakers' finale. Golden State's active guards and Curry's closing creation give it ways to answer Lakers runs. That's why I'm siding with the Golden State Warriors to remain close or win.
Sacramento can work through Sabonis and use LaVine as a separate scorer against the Clippers' Jackson and Lopez center pairing. Sabonis and LaVine both played the Kings' last exhibition after missing the earlier Portland defeat, while Simmons is now out and Acuff takes more handling work. The Clippers have Garland and useful wing finishers, but Ingram, Beal, Strus and Miller remain out after missing their finale. Sacramento's interior passing and second chances can keep the game within reach through the closing stretch. That's why I'm siding with the Sacramento Kings to stay close or win.
