The Phoenix Suns (0-1) are opening the 41-game home slate against the Golden State Warriors (0-2) on Saturday night.

The Suns are coming off a lopsided 41-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Warriors fell to the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies (in a fourth quarter meltdown) this week.

Saturday night's duel is sure to be one of high intensity - follow key aspects of the game to be below.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr already cautioned fans that a number of veteran players (namely Stephen Curry) are prone to sitting out the back-end of back-to-back games, especially when on the road. 

Golden State's game against Memphis on Friday makes it unlikely that Curry, 38, will play on Saturday. 

This inherently gifts Phoenix a major boost, as Curry is the major source of offense for the Warriors - period. 

Unfortunately, the Suns hold their own sets of issues heading into the game. Center Oso Ighodaro (oblique strain) is already definitively out for the contest, while guard Luke Kennard remains questionable. Ighodaro is the major piece holding together a center group already facing a major injury.

Kennard, on the other hand, is a much-needed floor spacer for a team in clear need of three-point marksmanship.

The 29-year-old has seen highs and lows in his career against the Warriors. Booker brings an average of 24.1 points per game on 56.4% true shooting in these matchups (Statmuse). 

Kerr knows Booker well between coaching him during his time with the U.S. national team and facing him for well over a decade. The Warriors also employ individual defenders (Gary Payton II, De'Anthony Melton) that have found success in one-on-one matchups against Booker over the years. 

It will be crucial for head coach Jordan Ott to find ways to employ off-ball actions to ease Booker into the game - regardless of the Warriors team they are facing.

The rookie is already finding his footing at the NBA level in many ways, including as a secondary playmaker, forceful rebounder, and versatile defender.

Lendeborg's skillset gives him the ability to be a game-wrecker in this particular matchup, with his summer trash talk exchange with Dillon Brooks serving as another layer of intrigue in the contest.

Suns-Warriors is set for a start of just after 7:00 P.M. MST from Mortgage Matchup Center.