2/14 vs HOU — 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.

2/15 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 17 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 24 and Jackson at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Bane (17 straight), LaRavia (16 straight), Gilyard (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 25 and Lillard at 20 a game. Without Middleton (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Milwaukee wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been minus-3 a night and Memphis minus-10. Call it Milwaukee 114, Memphis 111, Memphis keeping it close.

2/23 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 24 and Jackson at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Bane (18 straight), Pippen Jr. (2 straight), LaRavia (17 straight). 7 days' rest. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 26 free throws a game; Leonard at 19 and George at 19 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Theis (2 straight), Tucker (38 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the line, where the Clippers take 26 free throws a game to Memphis's 18 and the defense, Memphis allowing 110 a night to the Clippers' 120. Call it Memphis 114, the Clippers 111, the Clippers keeping it close.

2/26 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 24 and Jackson at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Bane (19 straight), Pippen Jr. (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Thomas at 19 and Bridges at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Clowney (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the defense, Memphis allowing 107 a night to Brooklyn's 116 and the glass, where Brooklyn has been minus-5 a night and Memphis minus-10. Call it Memphis 112, Brooklyn 107.