3/14 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sexton at 18 and Filipowski at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without George (2 straight), Potter (2 straight), Tshiebwe (4 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 110, shooting 42 percent and 36 from three, 28 free throws a game; Quickley at 21 and Barrett at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Agbaji (6 straight), Walter (3 straight), Mogbo (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Toronto allowing 110 a night to Utah's 121 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 18 times a game to Toronto's 14. Call it Toronto 116, Utah 115, Utah keeping it close.

3/16 @ 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 121 a night and allowing 109, shooting 51 percent and 44 from three, 19 free throws a game; Edwards at 25 and Randle at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. One day's rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 28 free throws a game; Sexton at 16 and Filipowski at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without George (3 straight), Mykhailiuk (2 straight), Potter (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Utah giving it away 18 times a game to Minnesota's 12 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 109 a night to Utah's 121. Call it Minnesota 120, Utah 110, Minnesota by 10.

3/17 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 123, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sexton at 17 and Markkanen at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without George (4 straight), Collins (2 straight), Potter (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; White at 30 and Giddey at 25 a game. Without Giddey (2 straight), Ball (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Chicago wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Chicago allowing 112 a night to Utah's 123 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 18 times a game to Chicago's 13. Call it Chicago 119, Utah 115, Utah keeping it close.

3/19 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 17 and Markkanen at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Collins (3 straight), Martin (2 straight), Tshiebwe (7 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 120, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Sarr at 19 and Poole at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Coulibaly (4 straight), Brogdon (13 straight), Thor (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Utah giving it away 18 times a game to Washington's 14 and the glass, where Utah has been plus-0 a night and Washington minus-5. Call it Utah 117, Washington 113, Washington keeping it close.