2/07 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 23 and Dëmin at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Mann (2 straight), Johnson (14 straight), Wilson (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Riley at 15 and Sarr at 14 a game. Without Johnson (4 straight), Whitmore (29 straight). One day's rest. So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the arc, Washington at 35 percent from three to Brooklyn's 30 and the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-5 a night and Washington plus-0. Call it Brooklyn 114, Washington 112, Washington keeping it close.

2/09 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 18 and Dëmin at 14 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Johnson (15 straight), Wilson (3 straight), Etienne (29 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 128, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Dosunmu at 19 and Buzelis at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Giddey (6 straight), Jones (9 straight), Collins (22 straight). One day's rest. So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-6 a night and Chicago minus-4 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 117 a night to Chicago's 128. Call it Brooklyn 116, Chicago 114, Chicago keeping it close.

2/11 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 18 and Claxton at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Johnson (16 straight), Minott (2 straight), Agbaji (2 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Siakam at 24 and Walker at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Thompson (3 straight), Toppin (51 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-5 a night and Indiana minus-10 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 19 times a game to Indiana's 13. Call it Brooklyn 116, Indiana 113, Indiana keeping it close.

2/19 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 112, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Mitchell at 28 and Allen at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Mobley (7 straight), Wade (3 straight). 7 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 18 and Claxton at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Porter Jr. (2 straight), Johnson (17 straight), Minott (3 straight). 7 days' rest. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-6 a night and Cleveland minus-0 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 17 times a game to Cleveland's 13. Call it Cleveland 121, Brooklyn 111, Cleveland by 10.