2/26 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 122, shooting 50 percent and 31 from three, 31 free throws a game; Marshall at 21 and Washington at 16 a game. Without Flagg (4 straight), Nembhard (6 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 127, shooting 42 percent and 27 from three, 24 free throws a game; DeRozan at 17 and Westbrook at 15 a game. Without LaVine (7 straight), Hunter (7 straight), Cardwell (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the line, where Dallas takes 31 free throws a game to Sacramento's 24 and the arc, Dallas at 31 percent from three to Sacramento's 27. Call it Dallas 122, Sacramento 112, Dallas by 10.

3/01 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Reaves at 19 a game. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Hachimura (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 127, shooting 46 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; Achiuwa at 17 and Raynaud at 15 a game. Without LaVine (8 straight), Hunter (8 straight), Cardwell (5 straight). 2 days' rest. So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Sacramento's 29 and the defense, the Lakers allowing 111 a night to Sacramento's 127. Call it the Lakers 119, Sacramento 113.

3/03 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 28 from three, 22 free throws a game; Westbrook at 17 and Achiuwa at 16 a game. Without Murray (2 straight), LaVine (9 straight), Hunter (9 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 106, shooting 38 percent and 33 from three, 13 free throws a game; Allen at 23 and Gillespie at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Booker (4 straight), Brooks (3 straight), Goodwin (3 straight). 4 days' rest. So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 106 a night to Sacramento's 126 and the line, where Sacramento takes 22 free throws a game to Phoenix's 13. Call it Sacramento 113, Phoenix 112, Phoenix keeping it close.

3/05 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 27 from three, 21 free throws a game; Westbrook at 19 and Achiuwa at 17 a game. Without Murray (3 straight), LaVine (10 straight), Hunter (10 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bey at 23 and Williamson at 18 a game. Without Poole (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 18 times a game to Sacramento's 13 and the arc, New Orleans at 32 percent from three to Sacramento's 27. Call it Sacramento 117, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.