3/03 @ 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 113 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 28 and James at 20 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 29 free throws a game; Bey at 24 and Williamson at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-4 a night and the Lakers minus-6 and the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 17 times a game to the Lakers' 10. Call it the Lakers 118, New Orleans 113.

3/05 @ SAC — 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.

3/06 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 101, shooting 41 percent and 35 from three, 15 free throws a game; Allen at 20 and Gillespie at 15 a game. Without Brooks (5 straight), Goodwin (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bey at 24 and Murphy III at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Poole (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 101 a night to New Orleans's 119 and the line, where New Orleans takes 26 free throws a game to Phoenix's 15. Call it Phoenix 113, New Orleans 111, New Orleans keeping it close.

3/08 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 119, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Murphy III at 20 and Bey at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Poole (4 straight), Jordan (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Riley at 14 and Coulibaly at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without George (2 straight), Sarr (10 straight), Watkins (2 straight). 2 days' rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-5 a night and Washington minus-8 and the line, where New Orleans takes 28 free throws a game to Washington's 22. Call it New Orleans 121, Washington 115.