3/01 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 126, shooting 38 percent and 27 from three, 19 free throws a game; Bridges at 21 and Mar. Williams at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Ball (2 straight), Gra. Williams (42 straight), Salaün (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Poole at 24 and Kispert at 14 a game. Without Sarr (3 straight), Johnson (4 straight), Jones (6 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Washington wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Washington at 37 percent from three to Charlotte's 27 and the defense, Washington allowing 115 a night to Charlotte's 126. Call it Washington 113, Charlotte 111, Charlotte keeping it close.

3/03 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 93 a night and allowing 123, shooting 38 percent and 26 from three, 16 free throws a game; Mar. Williams at 18 and Bridges at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Gra. Williams (43 straight), Okogie (14 straight), Nurkić (3 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Curry at 30 and Moody at 14 a game. Without Kuminga (26 straight). One day's rest. So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Golden State at 37 percent from three to Charlotte's 26 and the defense, Golden State allowing 109 a night to Charlotte's 123. Call it Golden State 117, Charlotte 106, Golden State by 11.

3/05 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 95 a night and allowing 119, shooting 39 percent and 28 from three, 19 free throws a game; Bridges at 21 and Ball at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Gra. Williams (44 straight), Simpson (2 straight), Okogie (15 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 24 and McDaniels at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Gobert (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 18 times a game to Minnesota's 11 and the arc, Minnesota at 37 percent from three to Charlotte's 28. Call it Minnesota 113, Charlotte 108.

3/07 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 118, shooting 41 percent and 29 from three, 18 free throws a game; Ball at 24 and Bridges at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Gra. Williams (45 straight), Simpson (3 straight), Okogie (16 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 25 free throws a game; Mitchell at 26 and Mobley at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 42 percent from three to Charlotte's 29 and the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 17 times a game to Cleveland's 10. Call it Cleveland 119, Charlotte 108, Cleveland by 11.