12/13 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 120, shooting 53 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jokić at 39 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. Without Murray (2 straight). 4 days' rest. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 109, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 17 free throws a game; Powell at 25 and Harden at 22 a game. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Mann (2 straight). 4 days' rest. So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 109 a night to Denver's 120 and the line, where Denver takes 25 free throws a game to the Clippers' 17. Call it Denver 115, the Clippers 112, the Clippers keeping it close.

12/16 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sabonis at 23 and DeRozan at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Lyles (8 straight). 3 days' rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 114, shooting 53 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jokić at 37 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. 2 days' rest. So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Denver giving it away 17 times a game to Sacramento's 11 and the arc, Sacramento at 40 percent from three to Denver's 34. Call it Sacramento 119, Denver 114.

12/19 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 17 free throws a game; Simons at 17 and Grant at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Ayton (2 straight), Thybulle (26 straight), Murray (2 straight). 3 days' rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 117, shooting 53 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 33 and Murray at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. 2 days' rest. So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-6 a night and Portland minus-5 and the line, where Denver takes 26 free throws a game to Portland's 17. Call it Denver 119, Portland 113.

12/22 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 118, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 23 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (20 straight), Alvarado (18 straight), Payton (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 117, shooting 54 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 35 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 2 days' rest. So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-5 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Denver 119, New Orleans 112.