3/29 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 121, shooting 52 percent and 43 from three, 19 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Haliburton at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest. The Lakers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 33 free throws a game; Davis at 29 and James at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. They have won the glass by 6 a night. Without Vanderbilt (23 straight), Vincent (45 straight), Wood (17 straight). One day's rest. So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-6 a night and Indiana minus-7 and the line, where the Lakers take 33 free throws a game to Indiana's 19. Call it Indiana 122, the Lakers 121, the Lakers keeping it close.

3/31 @ 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 109 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Thomas at 26 and Bridges at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Cam. Johnson (3 straight), Smith Jr. (3 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 32 free throws a game; Davis at 29 and James at 21 a game. They have won the glass by 5 a night. Without Vanderbilt (24 straight), Vincent (46 straight), Wood (18 straight). One day's rest. So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 32 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 19 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 107 a night to the Lakers' 119. Call it Brooklyn 115, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.

4/02 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 122, shooting 47 percent and 30 from three, 18 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 22 and Dick at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 13 a night. Without Barrett (9 straight), Quickley (6 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 30 free throws a game; Davis at 30 and James at 26 a game. They have won the glass by 5 a night. Without Vanderbilt (25 straight), Wood (19 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-5 a night and Toronto minus-13 and the line, where the Lakers take 30 free throws a game to Toronto's 18. Call it the Lakers 119, Toronto 115, Toronto keeping it close.

4/03 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 16 free throws a game; Poole at 21 and Kispert at 19 a game. Without Kuzma (2 straight), Jones (10 straight), Holmes (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Davis at 26 and James at 26 a game. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Vanderbilt (26 straight), Wood (20 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-7 a night and Washington minus-2 and the arc, the Lakers at 37 percent from three to Washington's 30. Call it the Lakers 117, Washington 114, Washington keeping it close.