2/23 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 28 free throws a game; Murray at 21 and Young at 21 a game. Without Capela (6 straight). 8 days' rest. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 113, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barnes at 18 and Barrett at 17 a game. Without Freeman-Liberty (11 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the defense, Toronto allowing 113 a night to Atlanta's 123 and the glass, where Toronto has been plus-2 a night and Atlanta minus-3. Call it Atlanta 119, Toronto 116, Toronto keeping it close.

2/25 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 29 free throws a game; Murray at 22 and Young at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Okongwu (2 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 111, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 20 free throws a game; Banchero at 21 and F. Wagner at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Fultz (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Orlando has been plus-6 a night and Atlanta minus-3 and the arc, Orlando at 41 percent from three to Atlanta's 33. Call it Atlanta 118, Orlando 117, Orlando keeping it close.

2/27 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 117, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murray at 23 and Hunter at 21 a game. Without Okongwu (3 straight), Krejčí (2 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Markkanen at 20 a game. Without Horton-Tucker (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Utah giving it away 16 times a game to Atlanta's 11 and the defense, Atlanta allowing 117 a night to Utah's 126. Call it Atlanta 122, Utah 118, Utah keeping it close.

2/29 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 91 a night and allowing 110, shooting 40 percent and 28 from three, 15 free throws a game; Thomas at 14 and Bridges at 12 a game. Without Clowney (4 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Hunter at 21 and Murray at 19 a game. Without Young (2 straight), Okongwu (4 straight), Krejčí (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-3 a night and Brooklyn minus-4 and the line, where Atlanta takes 23 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 15. Call it Atlanta 115, Brooklyn 111, Brooklyn keeping it close.