2/07 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Tatum at 27 and Porziņģis at 20 a game. 2 days' rest. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 136 a night and allowing 130, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Young at 30 and Murray at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Krejčí (22 straight). One day's rest. So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 111 a night to Atlanta's 130 and the line, where Atlanta takes 25 free throws a game to Boston's 17. Call it Boston 124, Atlanta 118.

2/09 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Maxey at 25 and Harris at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Embiid (4 straight), Melton (13 straight), Batum (5 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 134 a night and allowing 130, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Young at 28 and Murray at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Capela (2 straight), Krejčí (23 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-4 a night and Philadelphia minus-4. Call it Atlanta 123, Philadelphia 122, Philadelphia keeping it close.

2/10 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 132 a night and allowing 130, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Young at 30 and Murray at 21 a game. Without Murray (2 straight), Capela (3 straight), Krejčí (24 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 18 and Whitmore at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without VanVleet (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 113 a night to Atlanta's 130 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 13 times a game to Atlanta's 10. Call it Atlanta 121, Houston 118, Houston keeping it close.

2/12 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 128, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 28 free throws a game; Young at 27 and Murray at 25 a game. Without Capela (4 straight), Krejčí (25 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 26 and White at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Williams (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-5 a night and Atlanta minus-4 and the defense, Chicago allowing 116 a night to Atlanta's 128. Call it Atlanta 121, Chicago 119, Chicago keeping it close.