3/01 @ 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 119 a night and allowing 124, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 30 free throws a game; Marshall at 19 and Washington at 16 a game. Without Flagg (6 straight), Washington (2 straight), Nembhard (8 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wallace at 18 and McCain at 14 a game. Without Jal. Williams (6 straight), Mitchell (16 straight). One day's rest. So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 110 a night to Dallas's 124 and the line, where Dallas takes 30 free throws a game to OKC's 22. Call it OKC 119, Dallas 114.

3/03 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Giddey at 15 a game. Without Simons (4 straight), Smith (3 straight), Williams (2 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Wallace at 17 and Holmgren at 14 a game. Without Jal. Williams (7 straight), Mitchell (17 straight). One day's rest. So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 19 times a game to OKC's 13 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-0 a night and Chicago minus-4. Call it OKC 116, Chicago 112, Chicago keeping it close.

3/04 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 98, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 18 free throws a game; Brunson at 23 and Towns at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without McBride (16 straight), Clarkson (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 20 free throws a game; Wallace at 16 and McCain at 14 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Jal. Williams (8 straight), Mitchell (18 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 98 a night to OKC's 109 and the glass, where New York has been plus-7 a night and OKC plus-0. Call it New York 112, OKC 110, OKC keeping it close.

3/07 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jal. Williams (9 straight), Mitchell (19 straight), Sandfort (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 17 free throws a game; Podziemski at 18 and Melton at 17 a game. Without Ste. Curry (12 straight), Porziņģis (6 straight), Richard (2 straight). One day's rest. So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 108 a night to Golden State's 116 and the glass, where Golden State has been minus-0 a night and OKC minus-5. Call it OKC 117, Golden State 109.