12/02 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Bridges at 26 and Dinwiddie at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Simmons (11 straight), Smith Jr. (6 straight), Clowney (3 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 115, shooting 54 percent and 42 from three, 28 free throws a game; F. Wagner at 27 and Banchero at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Carter Jr. (14 straight), Fultz (11 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the line, where Orlando takes 28 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 21 and the turnovers, Orlando giving it away 15 times a game to Brooklyn's 12. Call it Brooklyn 118, Orlando 116, Orlando keeping it close.

12/06 @ ATL — 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 120 a night and allowing 123, shooting 44 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Young at 30 and Hunter at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Johnson (4 straight), Fernando (2 straight). 3 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Bridges at 25 and Dinwiddie at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Simmons (12 straight), Clowney (4 straight), Wilson (13 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Brooklyn wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-8 a night and Atlanta minus-6 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 108 a night to Atlanta's 123. Call it Brooklyn 119, Atlanta 118, Atlanta keeping it close.

12/08 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Bridges at 27 and Dinwiddie at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Simmons (13 straight), Walker IV (2 straight), Clowney (5 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 129, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Kuzma at 22 and Poole at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-8 a night and Washington minus-8 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 111 a night to Washington's 129. Call it Brooklyn 124, Washington 115.

12/11 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 28 free throws a game; Fox at 32 and Monk at 19 a game. 2 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Bridges at 28 and Thomas at 17 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Simmons (14 straight), Walker IV (3 straight), Clowney (6 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Brooklyn wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-11 a night and Sacramento plus-2 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 109 a night to Sacramento's 121. Call it Brooklyn 117, Sacramento 116, Sacramento keeping it close.