2/21 @ NOP — 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 121 a night and allowing 122, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 28 and Williamson at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Murray (27 straight), Missi (2 straight), Jordan (53 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 30 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Edgecombe at 14 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without George (8 straight), Embiid (3 straight). One day's rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 40 percent from three to Philadelphia's 30 and the line, where Philadelphia takes 30 free throws a game to New Orleans's 23. Call it New Orleans 119, Philadelphia 116, Philadelphia keeping it close.

2/22 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 28 and Randle at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Conley (6 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 124, shooting 41 percent and 30 from three, 32 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Oubre Jr. at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without George (9 straight), Embiid (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-2 a night and Philadelphia minus-6 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 114 a night to Philadelphia's 124. Call it Minnesota 122, Philadelphia 110, Minnesota by 12.

2/24 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Walker at 18 and Nembhard at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Nesmith (2 straight), Thompson (2 straight), Toppin (55 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 125, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 30 free throws a game; Maxey at 31 and Edgecombe at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without George (10 straight), Embiid (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the line, where Philadelphia takes 30 free throws a game to Indiana's 22 and the arc, Indiana at 39 percent from three to Philadelphia's 34. Call it Indiana 120, Philadelphia 116, Philadelphia keeping it close.

2/26 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Maxey at 32 and Edgecombe at 19 a game. Without George (11 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 30 free throws a game; Powell at 22 and Wiggins at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Jović (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been plus-7 a night and Philadelphia minus-3 and the defense, Miami allowing 114 a night to Philadelphia's 121. Call it Miami 119, Philadelphia 117, Philadelphia keeping it close.