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.

3/16 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 103, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Williamson at 27 and Murphy III at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Daniels (14 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Ayton at 29 and Simons at 25 a game. Without Sharpe (29 straight), Walker (5 straight), Rupert (2 straight). One day's rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 103 a night to Portland's 114 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 15 times a game to New Orleans's 11. Call it New Orleans 115, Portland 107.

3/18 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; DeRozan at 23 and Vučević at 19 a game. Without White (2 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 16 free throws a game; Ayton at 27 and Simons at 25 a game. Without Sharpe (30 straight). One day's rest. So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the line, where Chicago takes 24 free throws a game to Portland's 16 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 16 times a game to Chicago's 13. Call it Chicago 115, Portland 110.

3/20 vs LAC — 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 102 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; Simons at 27 and Ayton at 26 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Sharpe (31 straight), Hagans (2 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 21 a game. Without Westbrook (9 straight). 2 days' rest. So: The Clippers win, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Clippers 112, Portland 111, Portland keeping it close.