12/26 @ 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 110 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and McCollum at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (21 straight), Alvarado (19 straight), Payton (8 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brooks at 19 and Sengun at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (3 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 120 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Houston 114, New Orleans 108.

12/27 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brooks at 22 and Green at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Brooks (2 straight), Eason (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 37 from three, 16 free throws a game; Edwards at 21 and Randle at 19 a game. One day's rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-10 a night and Minnesota minus-2 and the line, where Houston takes 24 free throws a game to Minnesota's 16. Call it Houston 113, Minnesota 106.

12/29 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Green at 21 and Sengun at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Brooks (3 straight), Eason (5 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Herro at 23 and Adebayo at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Butler III (4 straight), Richardson (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-10 a night and Miami minus-4. Call it Houston 114, Miami 106.

1/01 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sengun at 20 and Green at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Eason (6 straight). 2 days' rest. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Irving at 31 and Washington at 14 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Marshall (2 straight), Lively II (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and Dallas minus-9 and the arc, Dallas at 37 percent from three to Houston's 33. Call it Houston 113, Dallas 109, Dallas keeping it close.