1/07 vs MEM — 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 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 24 free throws a game; Booker at 24 and Beal at 20 a game. Without Durant (3 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 113, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Morant at 22 and Bane at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Williams Jr. (2 straight), Jackson (10 straight), LaRavia (10 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-2 a night and Memphis minus-7 and the arc, Phoenix at 42 percent from three to Memphis's 37. Call it Phoenix 116, Memphis 108.

1/08 @ 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 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 25 and Leonard at 22 a game. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Tucker (19 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 22 and Beal at 21 a game. Without Gordon (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-7 a night and Phoenix minus-1 and the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Phoenix's 36. Call it the Clippers 115, Phoenix 111, Phoenix keeping it close.

1/11 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Davis at 29 and James at 25 a game. Without Hachimura (4 straight), Vincent (10 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Booker at 22 and Beal at 19 a game. 2 days' rest. So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 37 percent from three to the Lakers' 33. Call it the Lakers 116, Phoenix 115, Phoenix keeping it close.

1/14 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 127, shooting 39 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Grant at 18 and Simons at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Ayton (10 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Durant at 24 a game. 2 days' rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been minus-4 a night and Portland minus-10 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 119 a night to Portland's 127. Call it Phoenix 118, Portland 111.