2/06 @ 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 126 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 30 and Randle at 21 a game. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and Bey at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Murray (23 straight), Poole (6 straight), McGowens (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-8 and the arc, Minnesota at 42 percent from three to New Orleans's 36. Call it Minnesota 121, New Orleans 114.

2/09 vs SAC — 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 118, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 25 and Bey at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Murray (24 straight), Poole (7 straight), Jordan (50 straight). 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; LaVine at 17 and Clifford at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Murray (18 straight), Sabonis (2 straight). One day's rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-10 and the arc, New Orleans at 40 percent from three to Sacramento's 34. Call it New Orleans 119, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.

2/11 vs MIA — 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 117 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 27 and Bey at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Murray (25 straight), Poole (8 straight), Jordan (51 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Adebayo at 19 and Wiggins at 19 a game. Without Herro (14 straight), Larsson (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been plus-2 a night and New Orleans minus-11 and the arc, New Orleans at 43 percent from three to Miami's 35. Call it Miami 117, New Orleans 115, New Orleans keeping it close.

2/20 vs MIL — 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 115, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 27 and Williamson at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Murray (26 straight), Poole (9 straight), Jordan (52 straight). 8 days' rest. Milwaukee comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 14 free throws a game; Rollins at 21 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Rollins (2 straight), Gia. Antetokounmpo (9 straight), Prince (45 straight). 7 days' rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been plus-6 a night and New Orleans minus-12 and the line, where New Orleans takes 22 free throws a game to Milwaukee's 14. Call it New Orleans 116, Milwaukee 114, Milwaukee keeping it close.