11/27 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 101, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; George at 27 and Leonard at 20 a game. One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. Without Murray (10 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 101 a night to Denver's 115 and the arc, Denver at 39 percent from three to the Clippers' 32. Call it the Clippers 114, Denver 106.

11/29 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Jackson at 18 a game. Without Murray (11 straight), Gordon (2 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sengun at 23 and Ja. Green at 19 a game. Without Thompson (11 straight), Whitmore (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 38 percent from three to Houston's 34 and the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to Denver's 111. Call it Denver 111, Houston 108, Houston keeping it close.

12/01 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 30 free throws a game; Durant at 31 and Booker at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Beal (8 straight), Allen (2 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 35 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Gordon (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 107 a night to Denver's 115 and the line, where Phoenix takes 30 free throws a game to Denver's 24. Call it Phoenix 115, Denver 112, Denver keeping it close.

12/02 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Fox at 29 and Barnes at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Murray (4 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 32 and Porter Jr. at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Gordon (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 113 a night to Sacramento's 122 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-1 a night and Sacramento minus-5. Call it Denver 116, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.