11/15 vs DAL — 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 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Kuzma at 25 and Poole at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 16 a night. One day's rest. Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 122, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Irving at 24 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Kleber (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Dallas has been minus-7 a night and Washington minus-16 and the line, where Dallas takes 26 free throws a game to Washington's 20. Call it Washington 121, Dallas 120, Dallas keeping it close.

11/17 vs NYK — 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 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Kuzma at 24 and Poole at 13 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 14 a night. One day's rest. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 43 from three, 21 free throws a game; Randle at 25 and Barrett at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Barrett (2 straight). One day's rest. So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-7 a night and Washington minus-14 and the arc, New York at 43 percent from three to Washington's 36. Call it New York 115, Washington 112, Washington keeping it close.

11/20 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Kuzma at 21 and Avdija at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 16 a night. 2 days' rest. Milwaukee comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 111, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 32 and Lillard at 26 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Crowder (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Milwaukee wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been minus-3 a night and Washington minus-16 and the arc, Milwaukee at 40 percent from three to Washington's 34. Call it Milwaukee 118, Washington 114, Washington keeping it close.

11/22 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 17 free throws a game; Ball at 33 and Bridges at 17 a game. Without Rozier (8 straight), Richards (2 straight), Maledon (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 17 free throws a game; Kuzma at 22 and Poole at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 16 a night. One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been minus-2 a night and Washington minus-16 and the arc, Charlotte at 38 percent from three to Washington's 33. Call it Charlotte 118, Washington 116, Washington keeping it close.