2/24 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 103, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 30 and Towns at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 119, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Bridges at 20 and Thomas at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-6 a night and Brooklyn minus-8 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 103 a night to Brooklyn's 119. Call it Minnesota 118, Brooklyn 106, Minnesota by 12.

2/26 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 24 and Jackson at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Bane (19 straight), Pippen Jr. (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Thomas at 19 and Bridges at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Clowney (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the defense, Memphis allowing 107 a night to Brooklyn's 116 and the glass, where Brooklyn has been minus-5 a night and Memphis minus-10. Call it Memphis 112, Brooklyn 107.

2/27 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 19 free throws a game; Banchero at 22 and F. Wagner at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 97 a night and allowing 112, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 18 free throws a game; Bridges at 17 and Thomas at 16 a game. Without Clowney (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the arc, Orlando at 42 percent from three to Brooklyn's 32 and the glass, where Orlando has been plus-7 a night and Brooklyn minus-3. Call it Orlando 114, Brooklyn 106.

2/29 vs ATL — 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 91 a night and allowing 110, shooting 40 percent and 28 from three, 15 free throws a game; Thomas at 14 and Bridges at 12 a game. Without Clowney (4 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Hunter at 21 and Murray at 19 a game. Without Young (2 straight), Okongwu (4 straight), Krejčí (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-3 a night and Brooklyn minus-4 and the line, where Atlanta takes 23 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 15. Call it Atlanta 115, Brooklyn 111, Brooklyn keeping it close.