4/07 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 105, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Herro at 29 and Adebayo at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Wiggins (5 straight), Jović (23 straight), Jaquez Jr. (2 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 31 from three, 18 free throws a game; Grimes at 23 and Bona at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Maxey (18 straight), Oubre Jr. (13 straight), Lowry (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been plus-5 a night and Philadelphia minus-5 and the defense, Miami allowing 105 a night to Philadelphia's 118. Call it Miami 116, Philadelphia 106, Miami by 10.

4/09 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 126, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; White at 26 and Vučević at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Ball (19 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Herro at 27 and Adebayo at 26 a game. Without Wiggins (6 straight), Jović (24 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 107 a night to Chicago's 126 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 16 times a game to Miami's 11. Call it Miami 117, Chicago 115, Chicago keeping it close.

4/11 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Alvarado at 20 and Reeves at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 19 free throws a game; Herro at 28 and Adebayo at 24 a game. Without Rozier (2 straight), Jović (25 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 15 times a game to Miami's 10 and the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-4 a night and Miami minus-2. Call it Miami 116, New Orleans 110.

4/13 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 112, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 18 free throws a game; Herro at 27 and Adebayo at 24 a game. Without Jović (26 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 95 a night and allowing 116, shooting 41 percent and 29 from three, 16 free throws a game; Carrington at 18 and Vukcevic at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Coulibaly (18 straight), Smart (4 straight), Holmes (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been plus-3 a night and Washington minus-12 and the arc, Miami at 40 percent from three to Washington's 29. Call it Miami 118, Washington 105, Miami by 13.