2/04 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 30 free throws a game; Ayton at 23 and Avdija at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Thybulle (50 straight), Williams III (4 straight), Banton (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Indiana comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 119, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Siakam at 24 and Haliburton at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Isa. Jackson (42 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-7 a night and Indiana minus-10 and the line, where Portland takes 30 free throws a game to Indiana's 20. Call it Portland 117, Indiana 115, Indiana keeping it close.

2/06 @ 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 111 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Powell at 24 and Harden at 18 a game. One day's rest. Indiana comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 113, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Siakam at 24 and Haliburton at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Isa. Jackson (43 straight). One day's rest. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-3 a night and Indiana minus-7. Call it the Clippers 114, Indiana 113, Indiana keeping it close.

2/08 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 107, shooting 54 percent and 42 from three, 24 free throws a game; James at 31 and Reaves at 20 a game. That is 4 straight wins. They have won the glass by 4 a night. Without Reddish (4 straight), Morris (2 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Haliburton at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Isa. Jackson (44 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-4 a night and Indiana minus-9 and the arc, the Lakers at 42 percent from three to Indiana's 34. Call it the Lakers 118, Indiana 111.

2/11 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 23 and Mathurin at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Isa. Jackson (45 straight). 2 days' rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brunson at 31 and Hart at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Anunoby (3 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been minus-5 a night and Indiana minus-10 and the arc, New York at 34 percent from three to Indiana's 30. Call it Indiana 117, New York 115, New York keeping it close.