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.

2/28 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 101, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Towns at 22 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 21 and Jackson at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Bane (20 straight), Goodwin (2 straight), Pippen Jr. (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-4 a night and Memphis minus-9. Call it Minnesota 112, Memphis 103.

3/01 vs POR — 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 103 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 24 and Jackson at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Bane (21 straight), Pippen Jr. (5 straight), Jemison III (3 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 115, shooting 41 percent and 27 from three, 22 free throws a game; Grant at 19 and Simons at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Sharpe (20 straight), Henderson (3 straight), Rupert (10 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the arc, Memphis at 34 percent from three to Portland's 27 and the glass, where Portland has been plus-1 a night and Memphis minus-4. Call it Memphis 111, Portland 106.