3/15 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 110, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 28 and Lillard at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Portis (12 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 20 free throws a game; Siakam at 25 and Turner at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Isa. Jackson (59 straight), Walker (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been plus-10 a night and Indiana minus-6 and the arc, Milwaukee at 41 percent from three to Indiana's 31. Call it Milwaukee 118, Indiana 111.

3/16 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 29 and Lillard at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Portis (13 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 37 and Holmgren at 15 a game. Without Jal. Williams (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been plus-8 a night and OKC plus-0 and the turnovers, Milwaukee giving it away 14 times a game to OKC's 11. Call it OKC 115, Milwaukee 113, Milwaukee keeping it close.

3/18 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Curry at 23 and Butler III at 16 a game. Without Podziemski (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 26 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 26 and Lillard at 21 a game. Without Portis (14 straight). One day's rest. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been plus-4 a night and Golden State minus-1 and the defense, Golden State allowing 108 a night to Milwaukee's 115. Call it Golden State 115, Milwaukee 111, Milwaukee keeping it close.

3/20 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and Reaves at 29 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without James (6 straight), Hachimura (11 straight), Reddish (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 28 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 24 and Lillard at 19 a game. Without Portis (15 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 114, Milwaukee 113, Milwaukee keeping it close.