12/06 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 28 free throws a game; Curry at 26 and Thompson at 19 a game. Without Wiggins (2 straight), Paul (2 straight), Jackson-Davis (3 straight). 3 days' rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Grant at 22 and Brogdon at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Simons (18 straight), Murray (4 straight), Mays (4 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-1 a night and Portland minus-7 and the defense, Portland allowing 107 a night to Golden State's 117. Call it Golden State 114, Portland 111, Portland keeping it close.

12/08 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sharpe at 22 and Grant at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Mays (5 straight), Rupert (5 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 37 and Irving at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Green (2 straight), Kleber (12 straight). One day's rest. So: Dallas wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 15 times a game to Dallas's 10. Call it Dallas 112, Portland 111, Portland keeping it close.

12/11 @ 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 111, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Leonard at 27 and George at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Coffey (3 straight), Tucker (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 112, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sharpe at 23 and Grant at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Grant (2 straight), Ayton (2 straight), Mays (6 straight). 2 days' rest. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 14 times a game to the Clippers' 9 and the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Portland's 36. Call it the Clippers 115, Portland 107.

12/14 vs UTA — 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 112 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Simons at 32 and Sharpe at 26 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Grant (3 straight), Ayton (3 straight), Brogdon (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 18 and Collins at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Collins (2 straight), Juzang (6 straight), Sensabaugh (23 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-4 a night and Portland minus-3 and the arc, Portland at 37 percent from three to Utah's 31. Call it Portland 118, Utah 111.