12/29 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Barrett at 27 and Barnes at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Poeltl (4 straight), Quickley (20 straight), Shead (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 122, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 25 free throws a game; Hunter at 25 and Young at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Okongwu (5 straight), Bogdanović (3 straight), Gueye (24 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-4 a night and Toronto minus-11 and the arc, Atlanta at 41 percent from three to Toronto's 36. Call it Toronto 120, Atlanta 119, Atlanta keeping it close.

1/01 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 118, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 31 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Gordon (3 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 28 free throws a game; Young at 25 and Hunter at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Daniels (2 straight), Bogdanović (4 straight), Gueye (25 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Atlanta giving it away 17 times a game to Denver's 12 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-5 a night and Atlanta minus-1. Call it Denver 121, Atlanta 119, Atlanta keeping it close.

1/03 @ 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 117 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 30 and Reaves at 23 a game. Without Vincent (2 straight), Vanderbilt (27 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 28 free throws a game; Young at 26 and Johnson at 22 a game. Without Bogdanović (5 straight), Nance Jr. (2 straight), Gueye (26 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Atlanta takes 28 free throws a game to the Lakers' 22. Call it Atlanta 118, the Lakers 117, the Lakers keeping it close.

1/04 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Powell at 22 and Harden at 21 a game. Without Mann (11 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 122, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 26 free throws a game; Young at 27 and Johnson at 23 a game. Without Nance Jr. (3 straight), Wallace (2 straight), Gueye (27 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Clippers giving it away 17 times a game to Atlanta's 12 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 111 a night to Atlanta's 122. Call it the Clippers 115, Atlanta 113, Atlanta keeping it close.