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.

2/11 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 123, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 31 and Randle at 19 a game. Without Conley (4 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Grant at 21 and Holiday at 17 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Sharpe (2 straight), Murray (17 straight), Thybulle (49 straight). One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-10 a night and Minnesota plus-1 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 18 times a game to Minnesota's 13. Call it Minnesota 121, Portland 118, Portland keeping it close.

2/12 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Utah comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 22 and Markkanen at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without George (2 straight), Kessler (50 straight), Mykhailiuk (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Grant at 20 and Holiday at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Sharpe (3 straight), Murray (18 straight), Love (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Utah's 14 and the defense, Utah allowing 113 a night to Portland's 122. Call it Utah 121, Portland 119, Portland keeping it close.

2/20 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Holiday at 22 and Grant at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Sharpe (4 straight), Murray (19 straight), Thybulle (51 straight). 7 days' rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 32 free throws a game; Murray at 25 and Jokić at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Watson (4 straight), Gordon (10 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the line, where Denver takes 32 free throws a game to Portland's 22 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Denver's 14. Call it Portland 122, Denver 118, Denver keeping it close.