2/13 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 129, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Clarkson at 23 and Markkanen at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Sexton (5 straight), Hendricks (50 straight), Mykhailiuk (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Powell at 22 and Harden at 19 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 116 a night to Utah's 129 and the glass, where Utah has been plus-4 a night and the Clippers minus-2. Call it the Clippers 117, Utah 116, Utah keeping it close.

2/20 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 19 free throws a game; Lillard at 33 and Trent Jr. at 17 a game. Without Antetokounmpo (6 straight). 7 days' rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Powell at 25 and Harden at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. 6 days' rest. So: Milwaukee wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Milwaukee 114, the Clippers 113, the Clippers keeping it close.

2/23 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Mathurin at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Isa. Jackson (48 straight). 2 days' rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Powell at 27 and Harden at 24 a game. 2 days' rest. So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Clippers giving it away 14 times a game to Indiana's 9 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-1 a night and Indiana minus-5. Call it Indiana 117, the Clippers 115, the Clippers keeping it close.

2/24 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Detroit comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 111, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Cunningham at 26 and Beasley at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Harper Jr. (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Powell at 28 and Harden at 26 a game. Without Powell (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-10 a night and the Clippers minus-2 and the arc, Detroit at 40 percent from three to the Clippers' 36. Call it Detroit 118, the Clippers 113.