2/05 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; Williamson at 27 and Ingram at 22 a game. Without Jones (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barnes at 21 and Trent Jr. at 16 a game. Without Freeman-Liberty (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, Toronto at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 30 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 116 a night to Toronto's 126. Call it New Orleans 119, Toronto 113.

2/07 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 119, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Miller at 29 and Bridges at 24 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Martin (2 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 128, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Barnes at 20 and Quickley at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Freeman-Liberty (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the defense, Charlotte allowing 119 a night to Toronto's 128 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 15 times a game to Charlotte's 11. Call it Charlotte 117, Toronto 116, Toronto keeping it close.

2/09 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 20 free throws a game; Barnes at 19 and Quickley at 17 a game. Without Freeman-Liberty (6 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 23 and Sengun at 20 a game. 2 days' rest. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 116 a night to Toronto's 126 and the arc, Toronto at 41 percent from three to Houston's 35. Call it Houston 117, Toronto 116, Toronto keeping it close.

2/10 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Barrett at 22 and Barnes at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Freeman-Liberty (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 103, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 17 free throws a game; Mitchell at 30 and Eva. Mobley at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Cleveland allowing 103 a night to Toronto's 126 and the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-4 a night and Toronto minus-5. Call it Cleveland 119, Toronto 110.