Strange to see both of these two teams under .500 through seven games this season. Defense has been the problem with the Warriors. Golden State ranks last in the NBA in defense giving up 122 points a game. The Heat are better ranking 11th allowing 110.6, but that's still below their high defensive standards.

Change is coming and I see it occurring here. The intensity should be up a notch with both riding two-game losing streaks. The Warriors are off an embarrassing, 128-114, road loss to the lowly Pistons from Sunday. Miami also is off a bad loss, 119-113, to the Kings this past Saturday.  

Last season the two teams ranked third and fourth, respectively, defensively each surrendering 105 points a game. Each team has their same players. Klay Thompson is off to his usual slow start. So I see things becoming more normal. 

The Warriors defeated the Heat, 123-110, at home last Thursday. Golden State shot 50 percent from the floor and 87 percent from the foul line in that game. I trust Miami coach Erik Spoelstra, one of the better defensive coaches, to make adjustments. 

The Heat are 26th in scoring at 108 points per game.