1/15 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 101, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brunson at 26 and Randle at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Robinson (18 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Banchero at 26 and M. Wagner at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without F. Wagner (5 straight), Carter Jr. (5 straight), Gar. Harris (5 straight). One day's rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-10 a night and Orlando plus-2 and the defense, New York allowing 101 a night to Orlando's 111. Call it New York 115, Orlando 107.

1/17 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 102, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Randle at 26 and Brunson at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Brunson (2 straight), Robinson (19 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 28 from three, 27 free throws a game; Sengun at 23 and Ja. Green at 17 a game. One day's rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 102 a night to Houston's 125 and the arc, New York at 35 percent from three to Houston's 28. Call it New York 117, Houston 109.

1/18 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 100, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Randle at 24 and Brunson at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Robinson (20 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Kuzma at 22 and Poole at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. 2 days' rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-10 a night and Washington minus-5 and the defense, New York allowing 100 a night to Washington's 119. Call it New York 118, Washington 110.

1/20 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 105, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brunson at 34 and Randle at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Robinson (21 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barrett at 19 and Barnes at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Poeltl (6 straight). One day's rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-7 a night and Toronto minus-4 and the defense, New York allowing 105 a night to Toronto's 118. Call it New York 116, Toronto 109.