3/01 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 129, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Nembhard at 18 and Potter at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Siakam (2 straight), Nesmith (4 straight), Thompson (4 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson at 20 and Small at 14 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Aldama (9 straight), Coward (6 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Indiana has been minus-4 a night and Memphis minus-10 and the defense, Memphis allowing 122 a night to Indiana's 129. Call it Memphis 119, Indiana 118, Indiana keeping it close.

3/03 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 31 and McDaniels at 17 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jackson at 18 and Wells at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Aldama (10 straight), Coward (7 straight), Jerome (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-1 a night and Memphis minus-8 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 113 a night to Memphis's 121. Call it Minnesota 119, Memphis 114.

3/04 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jackson at 15 and Wells at 14 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Aldama (11 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; Grant at 19 and Holiday at 17 a game. Without Avdija (4 straight), Sharpe (10 straight), Love (6 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the arc, Memphis at 39 percent from three to Portland's 29. Call it Memphis 116, Portland 113, Portland keeping it close.

3/07 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Wells at 16 and Jackson at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. 2 days' rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Leonard at 26 and Lopez at 15 a game. Without Collins (3 straight), Bogdanović (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-1 a night and Memphis minus-8 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 107 a night to Memphis's 117. Call it Memphis 115, the Clippers 114, the Clippers keeping it close.