3/17 @ 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 103 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Banchero at 21 and F. Wagner at 17 a game. One day's rest. Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 28 and Quickley at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Barrett (2 straight), Freeman-Liberty (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 105 a night to Toronto's 120 and the glass, where Orlando has been plus-0 a night and Toronto minus-8. Call it Orlando 114, Toronto 109.

3/20 vs SAC — 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 108 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 23 and Quickley at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Barrett (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 104, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Fox at 22 and Sabonis at 22 a game. Without Lyles (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-3 a night and Toronto minus-6 and the defense, Sacramento allowing 104 a night to Toronto's 118. Call it Sacramento 116, Toronto 112, Toronto keeping it close.

3/22 vs OKC — 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 102 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 18 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 21 and Quickley at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Barrett (4 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 27 and Jal. Williams at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest. So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where OKC has been plus-3 a night and Toronto minus-9 and the arc, OKC at 38 percent from three to Toronto's 32. Call it OKC 118, Toronto 111.

3/23 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 126, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Kuzma at 22 and Poole at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (4 straight), Bagley III (9 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 18 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 21 and Quickley at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Barrett (5 straight), Quickley (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the defense, Toronto allowing 117 a night to Washington's 126 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 18 times a game to Washington's 15. Call it Washington 116, Toronto 114, Toronto keeping it close.