1/27 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Ball at 24 and Mar. Williams at 21 a game. Without Gra. Williams (26 straight), Mann (27 straight), Salaün (4 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 102, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Davis at 26 and James at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 102 a night to Charlotte's 111 and the line, where Charlotte takes 25 free throws a game to the Lakers' 18. Call it Charlotte 111, the Lakers 109, the Lakers keeping it close.

1/28 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Maxey at 31 and Oubre Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without C. Martin (8 straight), Embiid (11 straight), Drummond (2 straight). 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 103, shooting 50 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Davis at 29 and James at 23 a game. That is 4 straight wins. They have won the glass by 6 a night. Without Hachimura (2 straight), Reddish (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-6 a night and Philadelphia minus-12 and the defense, the Lakers allowing 103 a night to Philadelphia's 122. Call it the Lakers 112, Philadelphia 111, Philadelphia keeping it close.

1/30 @ 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 96 a night and allowing 115, shooting 39 percent and 28 from three, 18 free throws a game; Poole at 15 and Kuzma at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Brogdon (13 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 103, shooting 50 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Davis at 27 and James at 24 a game. They have won the glass by 6 a night. Without Vincent (2 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-6 a night and Washington minus-5 and the defense, the Lakers allowing 103 a night to Washington's 115. Call it the Lakers 115, Washington 105, the Lakers by 10.

2/01 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 25 and Bridges at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. 2 days' rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 105, shooting 52 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Davis at 26 and James at 24 a game. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Vincent (3 straight). One day's rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-7 a night and New York minus-1 and the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 13 times a game to New York's 10. Call it New York 116, the Lakers 111.