3/09 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Simons at 25 and Banton at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Sharpe (25 straight), Ayton (5 straight), Henderson (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 124, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Barrett at 22 and Quickley at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Brown (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-3 a night and Toronto minus-9 and the defense, Portland allowing 112 a night to Toronto's 124. Call it Portland 116, Toronto 113, Toronto keeping it close.

3/11 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Simons at 28 and Banton at 19 a game. Without Grant (2 straight), Sharpe (26 straight), Walker (2 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 105, shooting 49 percent and 42 from three, 15 free throws a game; Brown at 29 and Tatum at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 105 a night to Portland's 118 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 17 times a game to Boston's 11. Call it Boston 118, Portland 111.

3/13 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 122, shooting 47 percent and 41 from three, 18 free throws a game; Simons at 25 and Banton at 19 a game. Without Sharpe (27 straight), Walker (3 straight), Hagans (2 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Murray at 25 and Bogdanović at 16 a game. Without Young (8 straight), Johnson (2 straight), Okongwu (10 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Atlanta allowing 105 a night to Portland's 122 and the arc, Portland at 41 percent from three to Atlanta's 36. Call it Atlanta 115, Portland 113, Portland keeping it close.

3/14 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Ayton at 28 and Simons at 26 a game. Without Sharpe (28 straight), Walker (4 straight), Hagans (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 97 a night and allowing 89, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 12 free throws a game; DiVincenzo at 18 and Brunson at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Robinson (44 straight). One day's rest. So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 89 a night to Portland's 118 and the line, where Portland takes 20 free throws a game to New York's 12. Call it New York 110, Portland 105.