2/12 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 17 and Sengun at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without VanVleet (3 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 36 and DiVincenzo at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Randle (7 straight), Anunoby (7 straight), Robinson (32 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Houston giving it away 16 times a game to New York's 10 and the arc, Houston at 37 percent from three to New York's 31. Call it Houston 115, New York 112, New York keeping it close.

2/14 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 11 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 26 and Jackson at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Bane (16 straight), LaRavia (15 straight), Williams (8 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brooks at 17 and Ja. Green at 17 a game. Without VanVleet (4 straight), Whitmore (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-4 a night and Memphis minus-10 and the line, where Houston takes 24 free throws a game to Memphis's 11. Call it Houston 112, Memphis 110, Memphis keeping it close.

2/22 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Williamson at 25 and McCollum at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Daniels (3 straight), Hawkins (2 straight). 7 days' rest. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brooks at 20 and Ja. Green at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without VanVleet (5 straight), Whitmore (3 straight). 7 days' rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and New Orleans plus-3 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 108 a night to Houston's 117. Call it New Orleans 116, Houston 110.

2/23 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 116, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Brooks at 17 and Sengun at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 115, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Booker at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Beal (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-5 a night and Phoenix minus-6 and the arc, Phoenix at 39 percent from three to Houston's 35. Call it Phoenix 115, Houston 114, Houston keeping it close.