3/19 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Thomas at 27 and Bridges at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 105, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Williamson at 29 and Murphy III at 17 a game. Without Daniels (15 straight). 2 days' rest. So: New Orleans wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 105 a night to Brooklyn's 114 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 14 times a game to New Orleans's 10. Call it New Orleans 112, Brooklyn 110, Brooklyn keeping it close.

3/21 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 32 and Lillard at 25 a game. Without Antetokounmpo (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Thomas at 26 and Bridges at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Clowney (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the arc, Milwaukee at 43 percent from three to Brooklyn's 35 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 112 a night to Milwaukee's 120. Call it Milwaukee 117, Brooklyn 113, Brooklyn keeping it close.

3/23 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 98, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 33 and DiVincenzo at 14 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Anunoby (2 straight), Robinson (48 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Thomas at 24 and Bridges at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. One day's rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 98 a night to Brooklyn's 115 and the glass, where New York has been plus-6 a night and Brooklyn minus-1. Call it New York 113, Brooklyn 104.

3/25 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 24 and Nwora at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Barrett (6 straight), Quickley (3 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 113, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Thomas at 24 and Bridges at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been minus-2 a night and Toronto minus-9 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 19 times a game to Brooklyn's 15. Call it Toronto 112, Brooklyn 111, Brooklyn keeping it close.