1/27 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 107, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barrett at 20 and Barnes at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Quickley (6 straight), Agbaji (4 straight), Mogbo (3 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 124, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 28 free throws a game; McCollum at 23 and Murray at 22 a game. Without Jones (8 straight), Boston (4 straight), Payton (24 straight). One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the defense, Toronto allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 124 and the glass, where Toronto has been plus-3 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Toronto 118, New Orleans 112.

1/29 @ WAS — 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 100 a night and allowing 119, shooting 39 percent and 29 from three, 18 free throws a game; Poole at 17 and Coulibaly at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Brogdon (12 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Barnes at 19 and Barrett at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Quickley (7 straight), Mogbo (4 straight), Lawson (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Toronto has been plus-2 a night and Washington minus-7 and the defense, Toronto allowing 108 a night to Washington's 119. Call it Toronto 116, Washington 109.

1/31 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 98, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barnes at 22 and Barrett at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Quickley (8 straight), Mogbo (5 straight), Lawson (4 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; LaVine at 26 and Vučević at 14 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the defense, Toronto allowing 98 a night to Chicago's 116. Call it Toronto 117, Chicago 108.

2/02 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 104, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barnes at 23 and Barrett at 17 a game. Without Mogbo (6 straight), Lawson (5 straight), Battle (5 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Powell at 26 and Harden at 23 a game. They have won the glass by 9 a night. Without Dunn (6 straight). One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-9 a night and Toronto plus-1. Call it Toronto 112, the Clippers 111, the Clippers keeping it close.