Warriors center Draymond Green is averaging just 2.9 ppg, deferring to the extreme to his teammates. It’s working; Golden State has won six straight, and Green has at least nine assists in three of the last four games. New Orleans ranks 26th in assists and its entire frontcourt is out for this one. Only the Bulls play at a faster pace than the Pelicans, which means more opportunities for the Warriors, and for Draymond to find Steph and Co.

Spurs wingman Dylan Harper averages 4.4 assists per game, but over the last three contests he’d managed just seven assists total. The three prior to that, however, he dished out 8, 6 and 8. It’s a bit of random trivia, but the Suns allow 6.3 apg to the small forward spot on the floor, the most in the NBA. When it comes to setting up teammates, the second-year Harper can get back on track.

Drew Lock has played one full game at QB this season for the Seahawks. Ironically, it was against the same Arizona Cardinals he’ll face here. He went 19-of-26 for 235 yards, three TDs and no INTs. There’s little reason to expect less here. Seattle ranks No. 1 in the NFL in passes thrown to wide receivers, and Arizona ranks No. 32 in guarding WRs. The Seahawks O-line is banged up which may make running an issue vs. a decent Arizona front, so expect Lock to have freedom.

Denver just keeps finding ways. The Broncos are 6-2, the lone defeats at San Francisco and Kansas City. All of their wins have been by at least three points. A shaky offense can run on Carolina's 30th-ranked rush D, giving Bo Nix opportunities in the pass game. The Denver defense, statistically, hasn't dominated. But I've seen enough of the Panthers, whose offense has been exposed the last two weeks and whose defense has given up 70 in the last two weeks.

No team allows more pass yards than the Detroit Lions. But the Dolphins can't throw the ball, and if you can't throw vs. the Lions, you're going to get buried. The Lions' defense has settled, too, allowing 21, 17 and 15 points the last three games. Miami's offense has improved, but it can't go toe-to-toe here.

Quinshon Judkins is RB1 in Cleveland, but he’s averaged 3.1 yards per carry or less in five of seven games. Dylan Sampson has had only seven carries all season, but for 52 yards. In his two games back since injury, his snap account jumped from 46% to 56% and last week he was actually on the field more than Judkins. Shedeur Sanders is expected to get the nod at QB for the Browns this weekend. That means more of a focus on running the ball. Time for Sampson to get a bigger opportunity.

The Rams don't look like the Super Bowl favorites they were supposed to be. They've won two straight, however, by 14 and 15 points. Those were against the Raiders and Chargers, but they're no worse than the inconsistent Commanders, who have beaten the Seahawks but also routed by the Colts and Cowboys. Washington has one of the league's bottom pass defenses and the finally formed 1-2 punch of Blake Corum and Kyren Williams makes it tough to focus on Matthew Stafford.

Warriors star Stephen Curry averages 4.4 assists per game, but he’s had six-plus assists in three of the last four games. Golden State here faces Orlando, which allows the fourth-fewest points to opposing point guards, but the fourth-most assists. Curry had 26 points with six assists in his one prior meeting with young Jase Richardson.

Timberwolves PG LaMelo Ball has registered seven assists in only three out of nine games this season. But he’s come close with six assists on another three occasions. Ball should have ample opportunities to offer points-scoring passes to teammates against the defense-optional Pelicans, who play at the NBA’s fastest pace. Ball should be matched up against Dejounte Murray. In four career matchups, Ball’s assist totals were 8, 7, 15 and 10.

The Heat are coming off a physical OT win at the Clippers, so they might not have 100% for a full 48 minutes. That’s good news for the Warriors; Miami already ranks dead last in perimeter scoring allowed, and that’s where Golden State produces most of their points. The Warriors’ defensive strength, meanwhile, is on the interior. Giannis and Bam Adebayo each went 41 minutes in L.A. last night.

Warriors superstar Steph Curry has turned back the clock. He’s averaging 30 ppg through seven games and in the last three has tallied 44, 31 and 34 points. There’s little reason to expect anything less here against Davion Mitchell and the Heat. Miami gives up 33.2 ppg to the point guard spot. Curry is also averaging 30.4 ppg in 20 career games vs. Mitchell.

Clippers starting SG Kris Dunn averages a modest 9.0 ppg so far, so oddsmakers lean toward a below-average night vs. the Heat. That’s odd, because Dunn has actually scored 12 points in each of the last two games, and the Miami defense is allowing over 30 ppg to opposing shooting guards, the only team doing so. No Bradley Beal and a struggling Keaton Wagler means Dunn should get his usual 28-30 minutes. That should be enough for eight points.

Raptors third-year SF Ja’Kobe Walter has scored anywhere from 7 to 22 points. From an assists standpoint, he’s been much more steady. He’s had two-plus dishes in all but one game, and had five assists in Monday’s win over the Clippers. Walter is surrounded by scorers and the Raptors have a top-five pace, plus Denver has holes on defense, offering assist chances.

Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu has had three straight games of double-digit rebounds. The number here suggest he drops back down, but no team is worse at rebounding than the Wizards and starting C Alex Sarr (knee) may miss a second-straight game. Backup Hawks C Jock Landale will also miss this one, so Okongwu should get the minutes needed.

No defense allows more yards per play than Chicago, and that's despite playing a 9-3 game in the rain vs. the Vikings. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have allowed the fewest yards; they're No. 6 vs. the run and No. 1 against the pass. Caleb Williams may be the better QB, but Sam Darnold has the better matchup. Seattle also should get an offensive boost with the season debut of RB1 Zach Charbonnet and return of first-round rookie RB Jadarian Price.