3/02 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 105, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Mitchell at 28 and Mobley at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 12 a night. One day's rest. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 107, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 27 free throws a game; Sharpe at 21 and Simons at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Ayton (6 straight), Thybulle (60 straight), Williams III (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-12 a night and Portland plus-1 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 17 times a game to Cleveland's 13. Call it Cleveland 118, Portland 111.

3/03 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Oubre Jr. at 19 and Maxey at 19 a game. Without Okeke (8 straight), Butler (2 straight), Lowry (7 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 30 free throws a game; Sharpe at 22 and Simons at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Grant (2 straight), Ayton (7 straight), Thybulle (61 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Portland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-4 a night and Philadelphia minus-3 and the arc, Portland at 38 percent from three to Philadelphia's 31. Call it Portland 116, Philadelphia 113, Philadelphia keeping it close.

3/05 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 16 free throws a game; Brown at 27 and Tatum at 27 a game. Without Holiday (2 straight), Porziņģis (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Simons at 24 and Sharpe at 22 a game. Without Grant (3 straight), Ayton (8 straight), Thybulle (62 straight). One day's rest. So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the line, where Portland takes 28 free throws a game to Boston's 16 and the glass, where Portland has been plus-4 a night and Boston minus-2. Call it Boston 115, Portland 112, Portland keeping it close.

3/07 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 133 a night and allowing 121, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 36 and Jal. Williams at 25 a game. That is 5 straight wins. One day's rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 27 free throws a game; Sharpe at 25 and Simons at 24 a game. Without Grant (4 straight), Ayton (9 straight), Thybulle (63 straight). One day's rest. So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 42 percent from three to Portland's 36 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 14 times a game to OKC's 11. Call it OKC 122, Portland 115.