2/12 vs POR — 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 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 124, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jerome at 20 and Prosper at 15 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Aldama (4 straight), Clayton Jr. (2 straight). 8 days' rest. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 22 and Markkanen at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without George (3 straight), Kessler (51 straight), Harkless (42 straight). 7 days' rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-5 a night and Memphis minus-9 and the defense, Utah allowing 116 a night to Memphis's 124. Call it Memphis 120, Utah 118, Utah keeping it close.

2/23 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 103, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Smith Jr. at 17 a game. Without Okogie (2 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 22 and Markkanen at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Markkanen (2 straight), George (4 straight), Kessler (52 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 103 a night to Utah's 116 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 19 times a game to Houston's 16. Call it Houston 117, Utah 110.

2/26 vs NOP — 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 115 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Sensabaugh at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without George (5 straight), Kessler (53 straight). 2 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Williamson at 24 and Bey at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Murphy III (3 straight), Missi (4 straight), Peavy (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been minus-0 a night and New Orleans minus-5. Call it Utah 119, New Orleans 118, New Orleans keeping it close.