12/08 @ 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 109 a night and allowing 105, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Harden at 26 and Coffey at 12 a game. Without Porter Jr. (3 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 112, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sengun at 21 and VanVleet at 21 a game. Without Whitmore (7 straight). 2 days' rest. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the line, where Houston takes 26 free throws a game to the Clippers' 19 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 105 a night to Houston's 112. Call it the Clippers 110, Houston 109, Houston keeping it close.

12/11 vs GSW — 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 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 28 free throws a game; Green at 25 and VanVleet at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Eason (2 straight), Whitmore (8 straight). 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 108, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Curry at 25 and Kuminga at 19 a game. Without Post (11 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the line, where Houston takes 28 free throws a game to Golden State's 21 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-8 a night and Golden State plus-3. Call it Houston 112, Golden State 108, Golden State keeping it close.

12/14 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 106, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 16 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 32 and Jal. Williams at 23 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Holmgren (14 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 106, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sengun at 19 and Green at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Whitmore (9 straight). 2 days' rest. So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the line, where Houston takes 23 free throws a game to OKC's 16 and the arc, OKC at 37 percent from three to Houston's 32. Call it OKC 114, Houston 106.

12/19 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 105, shooting 42 percent and 29 from three, 20 free throws a game; Green at 19 and Sengun at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Whitmore (10 straight). 4 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; McCollum at 21 and Murray at 20 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Williamson (18 straight), Alvarado (16 straight), Hawkins (8 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-6 a night and New Orleans minus-5 and the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 119. Call it Houston 114, New Orleans 106.