2/12 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Powell at 24 and Harden at 18 a game. 3 days' rest. Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 29 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 27 and Morant at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-11 a night and the Clippers minus-2 and the line, where Memphis takes 29 free throws a game to the Clippers' 20. Call it Memphis 116, the Clippers 115, the Clippers keeping it close.

2/20 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Mathurin at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Turner (3 straight), Isa. Jackson (47 straight). 7 days' rest. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 28 free throws a game; Morant at 23 and Jackson Jr. at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 7 days' rest. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-5 a night and Indiana minus-8 and the arc, Memphis at 41 percent from three to Indiana's 33. Call it Memphis 119, Indiana 117, Indiana keeping it close.

2/21 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 26 free throws a game; Banchero at 25 and Wagner at 25 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 28 free throws a game; Bane at 22 and Morant at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 106 a night to Memphis's 120 and the arc, Memphis at 39 percent from three to Orlando's 30. Call it Memphis 113, Orlando 112, Orlando keeping it close.

2/23 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 108, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Mitchell at 26 and Mobley at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bane at 20 and Morant at 19 a game. One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-10 a night and Memphis plus-0 and the defense, Cleveland allowing 108 a night to Memphis's 119. Call it Cleveland 123, Memphis 112, Cleveland by 11.