3/08 @ PHI — 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 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Maxey at 30 and Oubre Jr. at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Maxey (2 straight), Embiid (16 straight), Melton (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 106, shooting 50 percent and 45 from three, 19 free throws a game; Ingram at 24 and Murphy III at 22 a game. Without Daniels (10 straight). 2 days' rest. So: New Orleans wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-3 a night and Philadelphia minus-6 and the arc, New Orleans at 45 percent from three to Philadelphia's 37. Call it New Orleans 115, Philadelphia 113, Philadelphia keeping it close.

3/10 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 106, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Murray at 26 and Hunter at 16 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Young (7 straight), Okongwu (9 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 102, shooting 50 percent and 45 from three, 21 free throws a game; Ingram at 23 and Murphy III at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Daniels (11 straight). One day's rest. So: New Orleans wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 45 percent from three to Atlanta's 35. Call it New Orleans 115, Atlanta 111, Atlanta keeping it close.

3/13 vs CLE — 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 120 a night and allowing 104, shooting 51 percent and 45 from three, 21 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and Ingram at 20 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Daniels (12 straight), Hawkins (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Garland at 22 and Allen at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Mitchell (7 straight), Strus (5 straight), Eva. Mobley (4 straight). One day's rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 45 percent from three to Cleveland's 35 and the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-4 a night and Cleveland minus-5. Call it New Orleans 116, Cleveland 107.

3/15 vs LAC — 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 116 a night and allowing 103, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and Williamson at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Daniels (13 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 114, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; George at 23 and Leonard at 20 a game. Without Westbrook (7 straight), Tucker (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 103 a night to the Clippers' 114 and the arc, New Orleans at 42 percent from three to the Clippers' 38. Call it New Orleans 117, the Clippers 109.