1/15 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 105, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Murray at 22 and Jokić at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Green at 32 and Sengun at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Smith Jr. (5 straight), Eason (12 straight). One day's rest. So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Houston plus-4 and the defense, Denver allowing 105 a night to Houston's 114. Call it Denver 115, Houston 112, Houston keeping it close.

1/16 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; DeRozan at 23 and Monk at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 26 free throws a game; Green at 33 and Sengun at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Smith Jr. (6 straight), Eason (13 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the line, where Houston takes 26 free throws a game to Sacramento's 19. Call it Sacramento 117, Houston 114, Houston keeping it close.

1/18 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 117, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Sharpe at 20 and Henderson at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Grant (9 straight), Avdija (2 straight), Thybulle (40 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 27 free throws a game; Green at 32 and Sengun at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Smith Jr. (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-4 a night and Portland minus-4 and the line, where Houston takes 27 free throws a game to Portland's 18. Call it Houston 117, Portland 111.

1/20 vs DET — 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 124 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 43 from three, 27 free throws a game; Green at 31 and Sengun at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Smith Jr. (8 straight). One day's rest. Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Cunningham at 26 and Hardaway Jr. at 18 a game. One day's rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and Detroit minus-1 and the arc, Houston at 43 percent from three to Detroit's 38. Call it Houston 118, Detroit 111.