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.

3/08 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 125, shooting 47 percent and 25 from three, 20 free throws a game; Achiuwa at 18 and Westbrook at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Murray (4 straight), LaVine (11 straight), Hunter (11 straight). 2 days' rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Buzelis at 21 and Sexton at 18 a game. Without Simons (6 straight), Smith (5 straight), Williams (4 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Chicago wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 34 percent from three to Sacramento's 25 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 18 times a game to Sacramento's 11. Call it Chicago 116, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.