1/01 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 128, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 27 free throws a game; Brunson at 29 and Randle at 28 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Robinson (11 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Gobert at 16 a game. One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 111 a night to New York's 128 and the arc, Minnesota at 40 percent from three to New York's 35. Call it Minnesota 116, New York 114, New York keeping it close.

1/03 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 123, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 28 free throws a game; Randle at 31 and Brunson at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Robinson (12 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 24 from three, 25 free throws a game; DeRozan at 21 and White at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without LaVine (16 straight), Vučević (4 straight), Craig (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the arc, New York at 35 percent from three to Chicago's 24 and the defense, Chicago allowing 109 a night to New York's 123. Call it New York 116, Chicago 110.

1/05 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 108, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and Harris at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. 2 days' rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Randle at 33 and Brunson at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Robinson (13 straight). One day's rest. So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and Philadelphia minus-10 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 108 a night to New York's 118. Call it Philadelphia 117, New York 112.

1/06 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 14 free throws a game; Kuzma at 21 and Avdija at 14 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 19 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Randle at 30 and Brunson at 25 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Robinson (14 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and Washington minus-19 and the defense, New York allowing 111 a night to Washington's 124. Call it New York 120, Washington 112.