3/01 @ CHA — 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.

3/03 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Herro at 25 and Adebayo at 21 a game. Without Wiggins (2 straight), Jović (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 108, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Poole at 19 and Coulibaly at 14 a game. Without Johnson (5 straight), Jones (7 straight), Brogdon (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Washington giving it away 18 times a game to Miami's 13 and the arc, Miami at 37 percent from three to Washington's 33. Call it Miami 114, Washington 109.

3/05 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 109, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Poole at 22 and Coulibaly at 13 a game. Without Poole (2 straight), Jones (8 straight), Brogdon (6 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Kessler at 16 and Filipowski at 15 a game. Without Markkanen (5 straight), Collins (2 straight), Clarkson (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the defense, Washington allowing 109 a night to Utah's 122 and the arc, Utah at 37 percent from three to Washington's 33. Call it Washington 115, Utah 112, Utah keeping it close.

3/08 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 112, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Quickley at 23 and Barrett at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Agbaji (3 straight), Boucher (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Coulibaly at 13 and Sarr at 13 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Poole (3 straight), Jones (9 straight), Brogdon (7 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Toronto has been plus-3 a night and Washington minus-4. Call it Toronto 113, Washington 112, Washington keeping it close.