The Phoenix Suns (0-0) are officially opening up regular season play tonight against a Western Conference rival in the Portland Trail Blazers.

This is the first time the two teams have met since Portland won the opening play-in game on April 14. 

There are numerous fascinating storylines, matchups, and advantages the Suns can carry to a victory. Follow these below.

Perhaps the most significant storyline beyond the two teams competing for playoff positioning is the regular season debuts of Ja Morant for the Blazers and Miles Bridges for the Suns.

The Trail Blazers are going to have a challenging time navigating what Morant's true place on this team is. The Suns - on the other hand - must  integrate Bridges into a lineup chalk-full of ball dominant players.

It will be fascinating to see how each veteran performs in their first games with a new franchise.

The Suns obviously need more scoring than just Booker. This includes Jalen Green, who is fully ready to participate in game one this season. 

However, Booker is likely to be the driving force for the Suns' offense once again. He will face numerous challenges along the way, as Blazers head coach Micah Nori has Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and Jrue Holiday to throw at Booker in numerous creative ways. 

The manner in which the 12-year-vet handles the pressure, works his way into a scoring groove, and creates for others against an intense defense is paramount to the Suns staying competitive later today.

This is the number one key to the Suns starting the season 1-0.

Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro must hold the lane down in a myriad of ways. This is including in clogging the paint/making life more difficult for Portland's high-level athletes such as Scoot Henderson and Morant.

The duo must also hold their own against Portland center Donovan Clingan, who is already one of the premier offensive rebounders in the NBA heading into year three in the league. If Phoenix manages to win in the fundamental statistical categories (particularly rebounding), a likely path to victory is within sight.

This matchup certainly seems to be one that can go either way.

In the end, the Suns will be able to overcome certain advantages that Portland has behind a better three-point shooting core, Jordan Ott's coaching advantage on paper, and the Suns holding more camaraderie at the moment.