2/09 @ 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 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 25 and Bey at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Murray (24 straight), Poole (7 straight), Jordan (50 straight). 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; LaVine at 17 and Clifford at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Murray (18 straight), Sabonis (2 straight). One day's rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-10 and the arc, New Orleans at 40 percent from three to Sacramento's 34. Call it New Orleans 119, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.

2/11 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Markkanen at 23 and Collier at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Kessler (49 straight), Mykhailiuk (2 straight), Harkless (40 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; LaVine at 17 and DeRozan at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Murray (19 straight), LaVine (2 straight), Sabonis (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-9 a night and Sacramento plus-3 and the defense, Utah allowing 116 a night to Sacramento's 122. Call it Utah 121, Sacramento 115.

2/19 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 123, shooting 43 percent and 28 from three, 23 free throws a game; Clifford at 15 and Carter at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Murray (20 straight), LaVine (3 straight), Sabonis (4 straight). 7 days' rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bane at 22 and Banchero at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Bitadze (3 straight). 7 days' rest. So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-2 a night and Orlando minus-7 and the defense, Orlando allowing 112 a night to Sacramento's 123. Call it Orlando 116, Sacramento 113, Sacramento keeping it close.

2/21 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. San Antonio comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 113, shooting 53 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 26 and Castle at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 124, shooting 42 percent and 27 from three, 21 free throws a game; Carter at 15 and Raynaud at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without LaVine (4 straight), Hunter (4 straight). One day's rest. So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the arc, San Antonio at 36 percent from three to Sacramento's 27 and the defense, San Antonio allowing 113 a night to Sacramento's 124. Call it San Antonio 125, Sacramento 108, San Antonio by 17.