11/24 @ MEM — 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.

11/26 @ NYK — 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 112 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brunson at 27 and Randle at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 42 from three, 32 free throws a game; Durant at 35 and Booker at 29 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Beal (6 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 Phoenix minus-1 and the line, where Phoenix takes 32 free throws a game to New York's 20. Call it New York 114, Phoenix 112, Phoenix keeping it close.

11/29 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Siakam at 21 and Schröder at 19 a game. Without Dick (2 straight), Freeman-Liberty (16 straight), Young (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 31 free throws a game; Durant at 34 and Booker at 29 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Durant (2 straight), Beal (7 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Phoenix takes 31 free throws a game to Toronto's 25. Call it Phoenix 117, Toronto 113, Toronto keeping it close.

12/01 vs DEN — 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.