2/10 vs NOP — 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 131 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 34 and Wiggins at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 16 a night. Without Dort (2 straight), Wallace (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 129, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 32 and Williamson at 28 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (14 straight), Payton (30 straight). One day's rest. So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the glass, where OKC has been plus-16 a night and New Orleans minus-6 and the defense, OKC allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 129. Call it OKC 126, New Orleans 109, OKC by 17.

2/12 vs MIA — 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 130 a night and allowing 105, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 34 and Jal. Williams at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Wallace (5 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 108, shooting 42 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Adebayo at 22 and Herro at 20 a game. One day's rest. So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the glass, where OKC has been plus-10 a night and Miami plus-0 and the arc, OKC at 39 percent from three to Miami's 33. Call it OKC 118, Miami 104, OKC by 14.

2/13 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 110, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 40 and Reid at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Randle (7 straight), DiVincenzo (15 straight), Conley (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 106, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 34 and Jal. Williams at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Wallace (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Minnesota giving it away 13 times a game to OKC's 10 and the arc, OKC at 39 percent from three to Minnesota's 35. Call it OKC 114, Minnesota 111, Minnesota keeping it close.

2/21 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 127, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Clarkson at 20 a game. Without Sexton (6 straight), Hendricks (51 straight), Martin (2 straight). 7 days' rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 29 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. Without Wallace (7 straight). 7 days' rest. So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 108 a night to Utah's 127 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 17 times a game to OKC's 10. Call it OKC 120, Utah 112.