2/03 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 117, shooting 41 percent and 30 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sharpe at 21 and Grant at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Henderson (50 straight), Murray (13 straight), Thybulle (45 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brooks at 28 and Allen at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Booker (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-4 a night and Phoenix minus-5 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Phoenix's 13. Call it Phoenix 113, Portland 110, Portland keeping it close.

2/06 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 121, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Sharpe at 21 and Grant at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Avdija (2 straight), Henderson (51 straight), Murray (14 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 122, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 24 and Jerome at 22 a game. Without Pippen Jr. (8 straight). One day's rest. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Memphis's 13 and the glass, where Portland has been plus-5 a night and Memphis minus-2. Call it Portland 117, Memphis 116, Memphis keeping it close.

2/07 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 123, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sharpe at 20 and Grant at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Avdija (3 straight), Murray (15 straight), Thybulle (47 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 127, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jerome at 22 and Spencer at 15 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Memphis's 14 and the glass, where Portland has been plus-5 a night and Memphis minus-1. Call it Portland 120, Memphis 118, Memphis keeping it close.

2/09 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 123, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Grant at 21 and Sharpe at 17 a game. Without Avdija (4 straight), Murray (16 straight), Thybulle (48 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Embiid at 33 and Maxey at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without George (5 straight), Drummond (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 109 a night to Portland's 123 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Philadelphia's 11. Call it Philadelphia 117, Portland 116, Portland keeping it close.