2/24 vs BOS — 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 103 a night and allowing 114, shooting 40 percent and 30 from three, 12 free throws a game; Brooks at 17 and Green at 17 a game. Without Booker (2 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 102, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 16 free throws a game; Brown at 27 and Pritchard at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest. So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 102 a night to Phoenix's 114 and the glass, where Boston has been plus-9 a night and Phoenix plus-3. Call it Boston 111, Phoenix 108, Phoenix keeping it close.

2/26 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 95 a night and allowing 111, shooting 38 percent and 30 from three, 12 free throws a game; Green at 17 and Gillespie at 13 a game. Without Booker (3 straight), Brooks (2 straight), Goodwin (2 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 28 and James at 20 a game. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 22 free throws a game to Phoenix's 12 and the arc, the Lakers at 38 percent from three to Phoenix's 30. Call it Phoenix 112, the Lakers 111, the Lakers keeping it close.

3/03 @ 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 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 28 from three, 22 free throws a game; Westbrook at 17 and Achiuwa at 16 a game. Without Murray (2 straight), LaVine (9 straight), Hunter (9 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 106, shooting 38 percent and 33 from three, 13 free throws a game; Allen at 23 and Gillespie at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Booker (4 straight), Brooks (3 straight), Goodwin (3 straight). 4 days' rest. So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 106 a night to Sacramento's 126 and the line, where Sacramento takes 22 free throws a game to Phoenix's 13. Call it Sacramento 113, Phoenix 112, Phoenix keeping it close.

3/05 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 102, shooting 40 percent and 35 from three, 15 free throws a game; Allen at 22 and Gillespie at 18 a game. Without Brooks (4 straight), Goodwin (4 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Sexton at 14 a game. Without Simons (5 straight), Smith (4 straight), Williams (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 102 a night to Chicago's 114 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 19 times a game to Phoenix's 13. Call it Phoenix 113, Chicago 108.