2/13 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Orlando comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; F. Wagner at 28 and Banchero at 20 a game. 2 days' rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 123, shooting 49 percent and 42 from three, 20 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 29 and Jal. Williams at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 109 a night to OKC's 123 and the glass, where Orlando has been plus-3 a night and OKC minus-6. Call it Orlando 116, OKC 115, OKC keeping it close.

2/14 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; F. Wagner at 27 and Banchero at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. New York comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 16 free throws a game; Brunson at 32 and DiVincenzo at 26 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Randle (8 straight), Anunoby (8 straight), Hartenstein (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Orlando giving it away 15 times a game to New York's 11 and the line, where Orlando takes 21 free throws a game to New York's 16. Call it Orlando 113, New York 112, New York keeping it close.

2/22 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 105, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Mitchell at 30 and Eva. Mobley at 16 a game. Without Wade (2 straight). 7 days' rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; F. Wagner at 24 and Banchero at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. 7 days' rest. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the defense, Cleveland allowing 105 a night to Orlando's 113 and the turnovers, Orlando giving it away 15 times a game to Cleveland's 11. Call it Cleveland 115, Orlando 109.

2/24 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Cunningham at 20 and Ivey at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Stewart (9 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 111, shooting 53 percent and 43 from three, 20 free throws a game; F. Wagner at 24 and Banchero at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Fultz (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Orlando at 43 percent from three to Detroit's 36 and the defense, Orlando allowing 111 a night to Detroit's 121. Call it Orlando 117, Detroit 113, Detroit keeping it close.