2/24 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 126, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; DeRozan at 26 and LaVine at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. 2 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 113, shooting 39 percent and 29 from three, 20 free throws a game; Bridges at 22 and Ball at 12 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Gra. Williams (39 straight), Simpson (4 straight), Jeffries (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-11 a night and Charlotte minus-10 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 113 a night to Sacramento's 126. Call it Sacramento 117, Charlotte 110.

2/25 @ 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 119 a night and allowing 106, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Curry at 28 and Butler III at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Kuminga (23 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 95 a night and allowing 120, shooting 38 percent and 30 from three, 19 free throws a game; Bridges at 25 and Ball at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Gra. Williams (40 straight), Simpson (5 straight), Jeffries (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-4 a night and Charlotte minus-11 and the defense, Golden State allowing 106 a night to Charlotte's 120. Call it Golden State 118, Charlotte 103, Golden State by 15.

2/27 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Irving at 32 and Thompson at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Davis (6 straight), Lively II (19 straight), Gafford (5 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 97 a night and allowing 125, shooting 37 percent and 29 from three, 19 free throws a game; Bridges at 23 and Ball at 15 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Gra. Williams (41 straight), Jeffries (4 straight), Okogie (12 straight). One day's rest. So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the arc, Dallas at 39 percent from three to Charlotte's 29 and the defense, Dallas allowing 111 a night to Charlotte's 125. Call it Dallas 117, Charlotte 105, Dallas by 12.

3/01 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 126, shooting 38 percent and 27 from three, 19 free throws a game; Bridges at 21 and Mar. Williams at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Ball (2 straight), Gra. Williams (42 straight), Salaün (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Poole at 24 and Kispert at 14 a game. Without Sarr (3 straight), Johnson (4 straight), Jones (6 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Washington wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Washington at 37 percent from three to Charlotte's 27 and the defense, Washington allowing 115 a night to Charlotte's 126. Call it Washington 113, Charlotte 111, Charlotte keeping it close.