3/03 vs DET — 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 109 a night and allowing 103, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; Banchero at 19 and F. Wagner at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Isaac (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Cunningham at 27 and Duren at 14 a game. Without Evbuomwan (2 straight), Sasser (4 straight), Brown Jr. (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Orlando has been plus-6 a night and Detroit minus-3 and the defense, Orlando allowing 103 a night to Detroit's 112. Call it Orlando 115, Detroit 107.

3/05 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 17 free throws a game; Miller at 20 and Bridges at 19 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Pokusevski (3 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 99, shooting 51 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Banchero at 24 and F. Wagner at 16 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest. So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Orlando has been plus-10 a night and Charlotte minus-9 and the defense, Orlando allowing 99 a night to Charlotte's 109. Call it Orlando 111, Charlotte 105.

3/06 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 128, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 16 free throws a game; Kuzma at 26 and Poole at 25 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. Orlando comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 95, shooting 52 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Banchero at 27 and F. Wagner at 15 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 95 a night to Washington's 128 and the glass, where Orlando has been plus-10 a night and Washington minus-6. Call it Orlando 115, Washington 111, Washington keeping it close.

3/08 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 110, shooting 41 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; DiVincenzo at 22 and Brunson at 21 a game. Without Anunoby (16 straight), Robinson (41 straight). 2 days' rest. Orlando comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 95, shooting 55 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Banchero at 26 and F. Wagner at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest. So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Orlando has been plus-10 a night and New York minus-1 and the defense, Orlando allowing 95 a night to New York's 110. Call it Orlando 110, New York 106, New York keeping it close.