3/08 vs WAS — 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 119, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Murphy III at 20 and Bey at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Poole (4 straight), Jordan (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Riley at 14 and Coulibaly at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without George (2 straight), Sarr (10 straight), Watkins (2 straight). 2 days' rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-5 a night and Washington minus-8 and the line, where New Orleans takes 28 free throws a game to Washington's 22. Call it New Orleans 121, Washington 115.

3/11 vs TOR — 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 121, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 32 free throws a game; Williamson at 22 and Murphy III at 21 a game. Without Poole (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Barrett at 24 and Barnes at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Murray-Boyles (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-2 a night and Toronto minus-9 and the defense, Toronto allowing 111 a night to New Orleans's 121. Call it New Orleans 117, Toronto 114, Toronto keeping it close.

3/13 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 21 and Thompson at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 31 free throws a game; Murphy III at 23 and Williamson at 21 a game. Without Poole (6 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the line, where New Orleans takes 31 free throws a game to Houston's 23 and the arc, New Orleans at 36 percent from three to Houston's 30. Call it Houston 116, New Orleans 115, New Orleans keeping it close.

3/16 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 32 free throws a game; Murray at 24 and Murphy III at 22 a game. Without Poole (7 straight), McGowens (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 123, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Flagg at 19 and Gafford at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Gafford (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the line, where New Orleans takes 32 free throws a game to Dallas's 23 and the turnovers, Dallas giving it away 16 times a game to New Orleans's 12. Call it New Orleans 122, Dallas 113.