3/16 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 120, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Avdija at 24 and Simons at 23 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Grant (2 straight), Ayton (13 straight), Thybulle (67 straight). 3 days' rest. Toronto comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 28 free throws a game; Quickley at 23 and Barnes at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Agbaji (7 straight), Walter (4 straight), Mogbo (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Toronto has been plus-9 a night and Portland plus-0 and the defense, Toronto allowing 111 a night to Portland's 120. Call it Toronto 115, Portland 113, Portland keeping it close.

3/17 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 24 and Booker at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Allen (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Lawson at 19 and Barrett at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Rhoden (2 straight), Walter (5 straight), Mogbo (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the line, where Toronto takes 26 free throws a game to Phoenix's 20 and the arc, Phoenix at 41 percent from three to Toronto's 36. Call it Phoenix 114, Toronto 113, Toronto keeping it close.

3/20 @ 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 113 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Curry at 21 and Butler III at 16 a game. One day's rest. Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 112, shooting 42 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Lawson at 20 and Quickley at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Barrett (2 straight), Rhoden (3 straight), Walter (6 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the arc, Golden State at 41 percent from three to Toronto's 34 and the glass, where Toronto has been plus-7 a night and Golden State plus-2. Call it Golden State 115, Toronto 108.

3/23 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barnes at 20 and Quickley at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Barrett (3 straight), Rhoden (4 straight), Walter (7 straight). 2 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 44 from three, 21 free throws a game; Castle at 21 and Vassell at 18 a game. One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the arc, San Antonio at 44 percent from three to Toronto's 36 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 17 times a game to San Antonio's 13. Call it Toronto 116, San Antonio 115, San Antonio keeping it close.