Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction: Portland looks in disarray

The NBA Preseason does bring the usual highlights; the dunks, the threes, the steals, the blocks, etc. But the main fizz is removed since the Regular Season features battles that are with full intensity and when teams are serious about winning games for the most part. In this preseason game, the Golden State Warriors will duke it out against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Warriors are going to be once again the favorites to win the title. They continue to have the best team in the league in terms of balance and their team depth is just too intimidating. Consider this, you have the best shooter in Stephen Curry, one of the best three-and-D players in Klay Thompson, an all-star level wing Andrew Wiggins, a top-quality defensive anchor Draymond Green, a budding All-Star Jordan Poole while now things are only getting more revved-up.

James Wiseman is back and he is looking in terrific rhythm. He can run the floor as a big and can finish big while being a nuisance on the rebounding and defensive end. This core is perfect for the modern game which is played inside-outside and the team has ample amount of shot-creators, iso-threat in the post and with the addition of Wiseman, a rim-running big. Only a failure in team chemistry may thwart the Warriors’ deep Playoffs run or well, the usual nemesis; the injuries.

Things aren’t as rosy as the Trail Blazers. They come off a disappointing 2021-22 season and they will have a tenuous road in the loaded league. They shipped away CJ McCollum and Norman Powell during last mid-season trade window and this off-season, they brought in Jerami Grant, a brilliant defensive big-Forward who can run the floor, but overall, there is something more that they seem to need. This is a big season for Lillard, who remains loyal to Portland.

Anfernee Simons has been a big-time scorer but his fit alongside Lillard, who likes to handle the ball a lot is still questionable. Josh Hart can be a big-time rebounder and slasher, but his defense is what the team needs the most. Nasir Little showed tremendous growth last season but it remains to be seen how he fits here. The question is if the Trail Blazers have done enough. Can rookie Shaedon Sharpe provide some thunderbolt? Let us see.

The Warriors are back on their home floor and despite losing to the Lakers in the last game, they are going to be big-time here. It will be interesting whether Curry plays here or not as you never know when a key player is rested. For the Trail Blazers, the preseason has been rather embarrassing thus far but I expect a much better effort. However, I’d back the Warriors to come on top.