3/10 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 16 free throws a game; Podziemski at 18 and Melton at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Ste. Curry (14 straight), Moody (3 straight), Richard (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Buzelis at 18 a game. Without Simons (7 straight), Collins (33 straight). One day's rest. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the line, where Chicago takes 26 free throws a game to Golden State's 16 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 17 times a game to Golden State's 12. Call it Golden State 114, Chicago 113, Chicago keeping it close.

3/12 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and Reaves at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without James (3 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sexton at 25 and Buzelis at 23 a game. Without Simons (8 straight), Collins (34 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 118, Chicago 112.

3/13 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 118, shooting 53 percent and 41 from three, 30 free throws a game; Leonard at 32 and Mathurin at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Collins (6 straight), Bogdanović (7 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 26 and Buzelis at 24 a game. Without Simons (9 straight), Okoro (2 straight), Sexton (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Chicago's 35 and the line, where the Clippers take 30 free throws a game to Chicago's 22. Call it the Clippers 123, Chicago 114.

3/16 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 123, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Buzelis at 25 and Giddey at 21 a game. Without Simons (10 straight), Okoro (3 straight), Sexton (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 127, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jerome at 23 and Jackson at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Clayton Jr. (3 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-2 a night and Memphis minus-11. Call it Chicago 121, Memphis 117, Memphis keeping it close.