2/26 vs POR — 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 103 a night and allowing 119, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Buzelis at 16 and Okoro at 12 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Simons (2 straight), Collins (28 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Holiday at 20 and Clingan at 16 a game. Without Sharpe (7 straight), Love (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-1 a night and Chicago minus-7 and the line, where Portland takes 24 free throws a game to Chicago's 19. Call it Chicago 117, Portland 116, Portland keeping it close.

3/01 vs MIL — 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 104 a night and allowing 119, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Buzelis at 17 and Okoro at 12 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Simons (3 straight), Smith (2 straight), Collins (29 straight). 2 days' rest. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 22 and Rollins at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Gia. Antetokounmpo (14 straight), Prince (50 straight). One day's rest. So: Milwaukee wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 20 times a game to Milwaukee's 14 and the line, where Chicago takes 22 free throws a game to Milwaukee's 17. Call it Milwaukee 116, Chicago 115, Chicago keeping it close.

3/03 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Giddey at 15 a game. Without Simons (4 straight), Smith (3 straight), Williams (2 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Wallace at 17 and Holmgren at 14 a game. Without Jal. Williams (7 straight), Mitchell (17 straight). One day's rest. So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 19 times a game to OKC's 13 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-0 a night and Chicago minus-4. Call it OKC 116, Chicago 112, Chicago keeping it close.

3/05 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 102, shooting 40 percent and 35 from three, 15 free throws a game; Allen at 22 and Gillespie at 18 a game. Without Brooks (4 straight), Goodwin (4 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Sexton at 14 a game. Without Simons (5 straight), Smith (4 straight), Williams (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 102 a night to Chicago's 114 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 19 times a game to Phoenix's 13. Call it Phoenix 113, Chicago 108.