3/03 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Mitchell at 22 and Garland at 19 a game. One day's rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 110, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 29 and DiVincenzo at 18 a game. Without Randle (14 straight), Anunoby (14 straight), Robinson (39 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 40 percent from three to New York's 35 and the glass, where New York has been plus-2 a night and Cleveland minus-3. Call it Cleveland 113, New York 108.

3/05 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 41 from three, 20 free throws a game; Mitchell at 22 and Garland at 19 a game. Without Mitchell (2 straight), LeVert (2 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 102, shooting 55 percent and 45 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brown at 27 and Tatum at 26 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-5 a night and Cleveland minus-3 and the defense, Boston allowing 102 a night to Cleveland's 113. Call it Boston 117, Cleveland 111.

3/06 @ ATL — 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 110 a night and allowing 105, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Murray at 22 and Johnson at 18 a game. Without Young (5 straight), Okongwu (7 straight), Krejčí (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 44 from three, 17 free throws a game; Garland at 19 and Allen at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Mitchell (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 44 percent from three to Atlanta's 34 and the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-2 a night and Cleveland minus-6. Call it Atlanta 114, Cleveland 112, Cleveland keeping it close.

3/08 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Garland at 20 and Eva. Mobley at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Mitchell (4 straight), Strus (2 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 26 and Towns at 16 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-2 a night and Cleveland minus-9 and the line, where Minnesota takes 26 free throws a game to Cleveland's 17. Call it Cleveland 111, Minnesota 109, Minnesota keeping it close.