3/14 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 119, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Young at 30 and LeVert at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Johnson (22 straight), Mathews (5 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Harden at 31 and Leonard at 22 a game. Without Powell (6 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-3 a night and the Clippers minus-3 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 110 a night to Atlanta's 119. Call it Atlanta 116, the Clippers 115, the Clippers keeping it close.

3/16 @ BKN — 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 111, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Thomas at 22 and C. Johnson at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Evbuomwan (9 straight), Clowney (2 straight), Etienne (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Young at 28 and LeVert at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Johnson (23 straight), Capela (2 straight), Mathews (6 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-5 a night and Brooklyn minus-2 and the turnovers, Atlanta giving it away 14 times a game to Brooklyn's 10. Call it Atlanta 114, Brooklyn 113, Brooklyn keeping it close.

3/18 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Bridges at 24 and Ball at 21 a game. Without Gra. Williams (51 straight), Baugh (4 straight), Simpson (9 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 119, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Young at 29 and LeVert at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Johnson (24 straight), Capela (3 straight), Mathews (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-4 a night and Charlotte minus-2 and the line, where Atlanta takes 23 free throws a game to Charlotte's 17. Call it Charlotte 116, Atlanta 115, Atlanta keeping it close.

3/22 vs GSW — 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 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Young at 28 and Risacher at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Johnson (25 straight), LeVert (2 straight), Capela (4 straight). 3 days' rest. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 104, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Curry at 19 and Butler III at 16 a game. One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 104 a night to Atlanta's 116. Call it Atlanta 115, Golden State 114, Golden State keeping it close.