12/19 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 123, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 16 free throws a game; Poole at 19 and Champagnie at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Kuzma (7 straight), George (5 straight), Kispert (5 straight). 3 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Miller at 22 and Jeffries at 11 a game. Without Gra. Williams (10 straight), Mann (11 straight), Jeffries (2 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Charlotte wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-0 a night and Washington minus-5 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 116 a night to Washington's 123. Call it Charlotte 113, Washington 112, Washington keeping it close.

12/20 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 106, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and George at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without C. Martin (2 straight), Edwards (6 straight), Bona (4 straight). 3 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 44 percent and 27 from three, 23 free throws a game; Miller at 21 and Bridges at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Gra. Williams (11 straight), Mann (12 straight), Simpson (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the arc, Philadelphia at 34 percent from three to Charlotte's 27 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 106 a night to Charlotte's 116. Call it Philadelphia 113, Charlotte 105.

12/23 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 28 from three, 23 free throws a game; Miller at 20 and Bridges at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Miller (2 straight), Gra. Williams (12 straight), Mann (13 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 106, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Green at 22 and Brooks at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 106 a night to Charlotte's 114. Call it Houston 111, Charlotte 108, Charlotte keeping it close.

12/26 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 17 free throws a game; Poole at 24 and Coulibaly at 20 a game. Without Kuzma (10 straight). 2 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 25 from three, 23 free throws a game; Ball at 24 and Bridges at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Miller (3 straight), Gra. Williams (13 straight), Mann (14 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the arc, Washington at 38 percent from three to Charlotte's 25 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 18 times a game to Charlotte's 14. Call it Washington 112, Charlotte 110, Charlotte keeping it close.