12/15 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 30 free throws a game; Booker at 30 and Durant at 28 a game. Without Allen (3 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 126, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Randle at 29 and Brunson at 23 a game. Without Robinson (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 112 a night to New York's 126. Call it Phoenix 117, New York 114, New York keeping it close.

12/16 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 109, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Leonard at 30 and Harden at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Tucker (8 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 130, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 29 free throws a game; Randle at 30 and Brunson at 28 a game. Without Robinson (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 109 a night to New York's 130. Call it the Clippers 121, New York 112.

12/18 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Davis at 29 and James at 29 a game. They have won the glass by 4 a night. Without Vincent (22 straight). 2 days' rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 129, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 27 free throws a game; Brunson at 28 and Randle at 26 a game. Without Robinson (4 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 113 a night to New York's 129. Call it the Lakers 120, New York 116, New York keeping it close.

12/20 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Thomas at 26 and Bridges at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Simmons (19 straight), Smith Jr. (6 straight), Walker IV (8 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 124, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 26 free throws a game; Brunson at 29 and Randle at 28 a game. Without Robinson (5 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-2 a night and Brooklyn minus-5 and the line, where New York takes 26 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 20. Call it New York 119, Brooklyn 117, Brooklyn keeping it close.