12/26 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 108, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 25 free throws a game; Ingram at 21 and McCollum at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Nance Jr. (12 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Morant at 28 and Bane at 27 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Smart (17 straight), Jackson (3 straight), Kennard (17 straight). 2 days' rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 41 percent from three to Memphis's 35 and the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 17 times a game to New Orleans's 13. Call it New Orleans 116, Memphis 108.

12/28 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 20 free throws a game; Murray at 24 and Jokić at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Morant at 29 and Bane at 27 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Jackson (4 straight), Kennard (18 straight), LaRavia (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 17 times a game to Denver's 10 and the arc, Denver at 42 percent from three to Memphis's 34. Call it Denver 116, Memphis 108.

12/29 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 124, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; George at 24 and Harden at 24 a game. Without Leonard (3 straight), Tucker (14 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Morant at 29 and Bane at 28 a game. Without Jackson (5 straight), Kennard (19 straight), LaRavia (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 40 percent from three to Memphis's 34 and the line, where Memphis takes 26 free throws a game to the Clippers' 20. Call it the Clippers 119, Memphis 113.

12/31 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 119, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Bane at 27 and Morant at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Jackson (6 straight), Kennard (20 straight), LaRavia (6 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Fox at 31 and Sabonis at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 14 times a game to Sacramento's 10 and the glass, where Memphis has been minus-4 a night and Sacramento minus-9. Call it Memphis 116, Sacramento 114, Sacramento keeping it close.