1/30 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 129, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 28 free throws a game; Murray at 26 and Young at 25 a game. Without Hunter (19 straight), Krejčí (18 straight), Fernando (4 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 130, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 28 free throws a game; Russell at 28 and James at 28 a game. Without Reddish (3 straight), Vincent (20 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 42 percent from three to Atlanta's 33 and the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 14 times a game to Atlanta's 11. Call it Atlanta 124, the Lakers 123, the Lakers keeping it close.

2/02 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 130, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 28 free throws a game; Young at 29 and Murray at 26 a game. Without Krejčí (19 straight), Fernando (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 116, shooting 57 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 39 and Durant at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 116 a night to Atlanta's 130 and the turnovers, Phoenix giving it away 16 times a game to Atlanta's 11. Call it Phoenix 122, Atlanta 120, Atlanta keeping it close.

2/03 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 130, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 26 free throws a game; Young at 30 and Murray at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Krejčí (20 straight), Fernando (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 120, shooting 53 percent and 44 from three, 20 free throws a game; Curry at 32 and Kuminga at 27 a game. Without Paul (10 straight), Moody (8 straight), Payton II (12 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Golden State at 44 percent from three to Atlanta's 37 and the defense, Golden State allowing 120 a night to Atlanta's 130. Call it Golden State 125, Atlanta 123, Atlanta keeping it close.

2/05 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 135 a night and allowing 130, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 26 free throws a game; Young at 31 and Murray at 22 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Krejčí (21 straight), Fernando (7 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Leonard at 29 and George at 16 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Tucker (32 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 109 a night to Atlanta's 130. Call it Atlanta 121, the Clippers 120, the Clippers keeping it close.