4/02 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 17 free throws a game; Poole at 22 and Avdija at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Jones (9 straight), Holmes (2 straight), Champagnie (3 straight). One day's rest. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 30 and Lillard at 22 a game. 2 days' rest. So: Milwaukee wins, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Milwaukee 116, Washington 113, Washington keeping it close.

4/03 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 16 free throws a game; Poole at 21 and Kispert at 19 a game. Without Kuzma (2 straight), Jones (10 straight), Holmes (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Davis at 26 and James at 26 a game. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Vanderbilt (26 straight), Wood (20 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-7 a night and Washington minus-2 and the arc, the Lakers at 37 percent from three to Washington's 30. Call it the Lakers 117, Washington 114, Washington keeping it close.

4/05 vs POR — 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 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 15 free throws a game; Poole at 22 and Kispert at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (11 straight), Holmes (4 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 94 a night and allowing 112, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 13 free throws a game; Banton at 22 and Ayton at 21 a game. Without Simons (6 straight), Sharpe (39 straight), Thybulle (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-2 a night and Washington minus-5. Call it Washington 114, Portland 109.

4/07 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 130, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 24 and Quickley at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Brown (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 28 from three, 18 free throws a game; Poole at 19 and Kispert at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Jones (12 straight), Holmes (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Washington wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Washington allowing 112 a night to Toronto's 130 and the arc, Toronto at 33 percent from three to Washington's 28. Call it Washington 116, Toronto 115, Toronto keeping it close.