2/19 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 106, shooting 42 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ball at 21 and Knueppel at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without White (4 straight). 7 days' rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 23 and Smith Jr. at 16 a game. 7 days' rest. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-11 a night and Houston minus-3. Call it Charlotte 112, Houston 107.

2/20 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 42 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Knueppel at 20 and Miller at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Bridges (2 straight), Diabaté (2 straight), White (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 106, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Mitchell at 29 and Allen at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 17 times a game to Cleveland's 13. Call it Cleveland 115, Charlotte 113, Charlotte keeping it close.

2/22 @ WAS — 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 114 a night and allowing 124, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; Vukcevic at 14 and Watkins at 13 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Sarr (3 straight), Whitmore (34 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 112, shooting 42 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Knueppel at 22 and Miller at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Bridges (3 straight), Diabaté (3 straight), White (6 straight). One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-8 a night and Washington minus-8 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 112 a night to Washington's 124. Call it Charlotte 117, Washington 114, Washington keeping it close.

2/24 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Chicago comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 118, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Simons at 14 and Buzelis at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Collins (27 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 110, shooting 42 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Knueppel at 23 and Miller at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Bridges (4 straight), Diabaté (4 straight), White (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-7 a night and Chicago minus-6 and the arc, Charlotte at 40 percent from three to Chicago's 34. Call it Charlotte 115, Chicago 113, Chicago keeping it close.