3/01 vs MEM — 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.

3/04 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 33 from three, 28 free throws a game; Leonard at 28 and Mathurin at 17 a game. Without Bogdanović (2 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 132, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Nembhard at 22 and Potter at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Siakam (3 straight), Nesmith (5 straight), Thompson (5 straight). 2 days' rest. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 110 a night to Indiana's 132 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-4 a night and Indiana minus-7. Call it the Clippers 121, Indiana 110, the Clippers by 11.

3/06 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and James at 20 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 131, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Nembhard at 18 and Walker at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Thompson (6 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 108 a night to Indiana's 131 and the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Indiana's 35. Call it the Lakers 122, Indiana 111, the Lakers by 11.

3/08 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 26 free throws a game; Holiday at 23 and Grant at 21 a game. Without Avdija (6 straight), Sharpe (12 straight), Murray (2 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 130, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Nembhard at 16 and Potter at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Thompson (7 straight), Jones (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the defense, Portland allowing 115 a night to Indiana's 130. Call it Portland 119, Indiana 113.