2/07 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 40 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 14 a night. Without Holmgren (39 straight), Wallace (2 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Barnes at 19 and Barrett at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Barrett (2 straight), Lawson (8 straight), Boucher (2 straight). One day's rest. So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the glass, where OKC has been plus-14 a night and Toronto minus-10 and the defense, OKC allowing 108 a night to Toronto's 114. Call it OKC 120, Toronto 107, OKC by 13.

2/09 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sengun at 23 and Green at 23 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without VanVleet (4 straight), Smith Jr. (19 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Barnes at 18 and Dick at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Barrett (3 straight), Poeltl (2 straight), Lawson (9 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-2 a night and Toronto minus-9 and the arc, Toronto at 39 percent from three to Houston's 32. Call it Houston 115, Toronto 111, Toronto keeping it close.

2/11 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Maxey at 33 and Embiid at 26 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Dowtin Jr. (3 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 116, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Barnes at 17 and Shead at 13 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Barrett (4 straight), Poeltl (3 straight), Lawson (10 straight). One day's rest. So: Philadelphia wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Philadelphia 115, Toronto 112, Toronto keeping it close.

2/12 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Barnes at 21 and Quickley at 14 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Barrett (5 straight), Poeltl (4 straight), Lawson (11 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 42 from three, 22 free throws a game; Mitchell at 25 and Mobley at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Wade (9 straight), Okoro (13 straight). One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-4 a night and Toronto minus-9 and the arc, Cleveland at 42 percent from three to Toronto's 33. Call it Cleveland 120, Toronto 110, Cleveland by 10.