3/11 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Nesmith at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Haliburton (3 straight), Isa. Jackson (57 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 114, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 31 and Lillard at 27 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Portis (10 straight). One day's rest. So: Milwaukee wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been plus-12 a night and Indiana minus-11 and the turnovers, Milwaukee giving it away 15 times a game to Indiana's 11. Call it Milwaukee 116, Indiana 115, Indiana keeping it close.

3/14 @ 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 114 a night and allowing 124, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Grimes at 25 and Oubre Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Maxey (5 straight), Okeke (14 straight), Lowry (13 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Siakam at 23 and Mathurin at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Isa. Jackson (58 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Indiana wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Indiana allowing 116 a night to Philadelphia's 124 and the glass, where Philadelphia has been minus-6 a night and Indiana minus-11. Call it Indiana 116, Philadelphia 115, Philadelphia keeping it close.

3/15 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 110, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 28 and Lillard at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Portis (12 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 20 free throws a game; Siakam at 25 and Turner at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Isa. Jackson (59 straight), Walker (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been plus-10 a night and Indiana minus-6 and the arc, Milwaukee at 41 percent from three to Indiana's 31. Call it Milwaukee 118, Indiana 111.

3/17 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 107, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 20 free throws a game; Edwards at 27 and Randle at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Siakam at 23 and Haliburton at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Isa. Jackson (60 straight), Walker (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-7 a night and Indiana minus-8 and the arc, Minnesota at 41 percent from three to Indiana's 32. Call it Minnesota 117, Indiana 111.