11/18 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. San Antonio comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 15 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 19 and Collins at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Jones (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 114, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Bane at 25 and Jackson Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Morant (11 straight), Jackson (7 straight), LaRavia (6 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Memphis allowing 114 a night to San Antonio's 123 and the turnovers, San Antonio giving it away 17 times a game to Memphis's 13. Call it Memphis 115, San Antonio 113, San Antonio keeping it close.

11/19 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 116, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Bane at 24 and Jackson Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Morant (12 straight), Jackson (8 straight), LaRavia (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Boston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 102, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 17 free throws a game; Tatum at 26 and Brown at 26 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-4 a night and Memphis minus-5 and the defense, Boston allowing 102 a night to Memphis's 116. Call it Boston 115, Memphis 108.

11/22 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 107, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sengun at 25 and VanVleet at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Thompson (8 straight), Whitmore (6 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 114, shooting 42 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Bane at 27 and Aldama at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Morant (13 straight), Smart (2 straight), Jackson (9 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 107 a night to Memphis's 114 and the arc, Memphis at 37 percent from three to Houston's 32. Call it Houston 112, Memphis 108, Memphis keeping it close.

11/24 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 39 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Bane at 24 and Jackson Jr. at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Morant (14 straight), Smart (3 straight), Kennard (3 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 120, shooting 52 percent and 46 from three, 29 free throws a game; Durant at 34 and Booker at 27 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Beal (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 46 percent from three to Memphis's 33 and the defense, Memphis allowing 111 a night to Phoenix's 120. Call it Phoenix 117, Memphis 113, Memphis keeping it close.