Previewing the Play-In Versus Phoenix

Dustin and Sage recap Portland's two straight wins, a 116–97 victory over the Clippers and a 122–110 win over the Kings, noting the team's composure, defense, and ball security in a high-leverage spot plus the return of Shaedon Sharpe. They discuss injury/availability expectations (likely everyone except Jerami Grant and Damian Lillard), debate keeping a tight eight-to-nine-man rotation, and highlight Scoot Henderson's surge as a confident two-way guard. They break down Deni Avdija's standout 35-point game and the importance of scoring through contact rather than hunting fouls, plus concerns about inconsistent shooting from key players. Looking ahead to the play-in in Phoenix, they emphasize limiting turnovers, attacking matchups, involving Devin Booker on defense, and making Donovan Clingan a focal point, with Robert Williams and Kris Murray cited as potential unsung contributors.