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.

3/02 vs POR — 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 97 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 26 and Jackson at 14 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Bane (22 straight), Kennard (2 straight), Pippen Jr. (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 28 from three, 20 free throws a game; Grant at 19 and Ayton at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Sharpe (21 straight), Henderson (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-4 a night and Memphis minus-5 and the arc, Memphis at 32 percent from three to Portland's 28. Call it Memphis 108, Portland 107, Portland keeping it close.

3/04 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 99, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 15 free throws a game; Bridges at 17 and Cam. Johnson at 17 a game. Without Thomas (3 straight), Clowney (6 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 95 a night and allowing 110, shooting 40 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 26 and Jackson at 12 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Bane (23 straight), Jackson Jr. (2 straight), Pippen Jr. (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-3 a night and Memphis minus-5 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 99 a night to Memphis's 110. Call it Brooklyn 111, Memphis 102.