2/11 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Santos at 16 and Moody at 14 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Ste. Curry (4 straight), Cryer (7 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 113, shooting 51 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 26 and Castle at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. So: San Antonio wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where San Antonio has been plus-12 a night and Golden State minus-5 and the line, where San Antonio takes 24 free throws a game to Golden State's 17. Call it San Antonio 115, Golden State 114, Golden State keeping it close.

2/19 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 14 free throws a game; Moody at 15 and Spencer at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Ste. Curry (5 straight), Porziņģis (2 straight), Cryer (8 straight). 7 days' rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 101, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 15 free throws a game; Brown at 28 and Pritchard at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. 7 days' rest. So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-7 a night and Golden State minus-4 and the defense, Boston allowing 101 a night to Golden State's 111. Call it Boston 110, Golden State 109, Golden State keeping it close.

2/22 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 15 free throws a game; Santos at 15 and Moody at 15 a game. Without Ste. Curry (6 straight), Cryer (9 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 115, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 33 free throws a game; Jokić at 25 and Murray at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Watson (5 straight), Gordon (11 straight), Pickett (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Denver takes 33 free throws a game to Golden State's 15 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Golden State minus-2. Call it Denver 118, Golden State 114, Golden State keeping it close.

2/24 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Williamson at 25 and Murphy III at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Murphy III (2 straight), Murray (28 straight), Missi (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 13 free throws a game; Moody at 18 and Podziemski at 15 a game. Without Ste. Curry (7 straight), Williams (2 straight), Cryer (10 straight). One day's rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the line, where New Orleans takes 25 free throws a game to Golden State's 13 and the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Golden State's 34. Call it New Orleans 117, Golden State 115, Golden State keeping it close.