2/09 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Maxey at 25 and Harris at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Embiid (4 straight), Melton (13 straight), Batum (5 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 134 a night and allowing 130, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Young at 28 and Murray at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Capela (2 straight), Krejčí (23 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-4 a night and Philadelphia minus-4. Call it Atlanta 123, Philadelphia 122, Philadelphia keeping it close.

2/10 @ 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 112 a night and allowing 124, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 17 free throws a game; Kuzma at 21 and Kispert at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Bagley III (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Maxey at 25 and Harris at 20 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Embiid (5 straight), Melton (14 straight), Batum (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Philadelphia has been minus-2 a night and Washington minus-8 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 13 times a game to Philadelphia's 9. Call it Philadelphia 119, Washington 118, Washington keeping it close.

2/12 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 101, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 16 free throws a game; Mitchell at 28 and Eva. Mobley at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 124, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Maxey at 20 and Oubre Jr. at 18 a game. Without Embiid (6 straight), Melton (15 straight), Batum (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the defense, Cleveland allowing 101 a night to Philadelphia's 124 and the arc, Cleveland at 39 percent from three to Philadelphia's 31. Call it Cleveland 120, Philadelphia 109, Cleveland by 11.

2/14 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; Hield at 22 and Oubre Jr. at 20 a game. Without Embiid (7 straight), Melton (16 straight), Batum (8 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 102, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Butler III at 20 and Herro at 20 a game. Without Butler III (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 102 a night to Philadelphia's 121. Call it Philadelphia 114, Miami 113, Miami keeping it close.