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.

2/26 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 124, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Nembhard at 17 and Walker at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Nesmith (3 straight), Thompson (3 straight), Toppin (56 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Knueppel at 23 and Miller at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-10 a night and Indiana minus-4 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 108 a night to Indiana's 124. Call it Charlotte 117, Indiana 114, Indiana keeping it close.

2/28 vs POR — 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 121 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 43 from three, 19 free throws a game; Knueppel at 25 and Miller at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Salaün (2 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 27 free throws a game; Grant at 19 and Clingan at 18 a game. Without Avdija (2 straight), Sharpe (8 straight), Love (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the arc, Charlotte at 43 percent from three to Portland's 32 and the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-10 a night and Portland plus-1. Call it Charlotte 120, Portland 111.