3/22 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 104, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brunson at 26 and Towns at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without McBride (25 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 123, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 19 free throws a game; Coulibaly at 18 and Riley at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 16 a night. Without Reese (3 straight), George (10 straight), Black (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-10 a night and Washington minus-16 and the defense, New York allowing 104 a night to Washington's 123. Call it New York 122, Washington 106, New York by 16.

3/25 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 126, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 29 free throws a game; Sensabaugh at 29 and Bailey at 28 a game. Without Collier (3 straight), Mykhailiuk (11 straight), Hinson (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 130, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 18 free throws a game; Coulibaly at 18 and Carrington at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 16 a night. Without Reese (4 straight), George (11 straight), Johnson (2 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been minus-2 a night and Washington minus-16 and the line, where Utah takes 29 free throws a game to Washington's 18. Call it Utah 124, Washington 117.

3/27 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Santos at 15 and Podziemski at 14 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Ste. Curry (23 straight), Horford (7 straight), Post (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 127, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 17 free throws a game; Carrington at 17 and Hardy at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without George (12 straight), Sarr (2 straight), Johnson (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-4 a night and Washington minus-12 and the turnovers, Golden State giving it away 22 times a game to Washington's 16. Call it Golden State 120, Washington 114.

3/29 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 106, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 29 free throws a game; Grant at 21 and Avdija at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Sharpe (23 straight), Krejčí (7 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 127, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 15 free throws a game; Hardy at 17 and Coulibaly at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without George (13 straight), Whitmore (52 straight). One day's rest. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-11 a night and Washington minus-10 and the defense, Portland allowing 106 a night to Washington's 127. Call it Portland 122, Washington 111, Portland by 11.