11/17 vs DET — 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 125, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Poole at 22 and Kuzma at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Holmes (4 straight). One day's rest. Detroit comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Cunningham at 24 and Beasley at 21 a game. Without Hardaway Jr. (2 straight), Fontecchio (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Detroit wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-2 a night and Washington minus-8 and the defense, Detroit allowing 113 a night to Washington's 125. Call it Detroit 116, Washington 112, Washington keeping it close.

11/18 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Towns at 31 and Brunson at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without McBride (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Poole at 24 and Kuzma at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Champagnie (2 straight), Holmes (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-7 a night and Washington minus-9 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 17 times a game to New York's 12. Call it New York 122, Washington 110, New York by 12.

11/22 vs BOS — 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 110 a night and allowing 127, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 17 free throws a game; Poole at 21 and Kuzma at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Champagnie (3 straight), Holmes (6 straight). 3 days' rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 22 free throws a game; Tatum at 29 and Brown at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Porziņģis (2 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 116 a night to Washington's 127 and the glass, where Boston has been minus-0 a night and Washington minus-7. Call it Boston 123, Washington 113, Boston by 10.

11/24 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 125, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Mathurin at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Nembhard (8 straight), Nesmith (10 straight), Sheppard (3 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 127, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Poole at 23 and Kuzma at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Champagnie (4 straight), Holmes (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Indiana wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Indiana 121, Washington 115.