11/29 vs SAC — 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 101 a night and allowing 113, shooting 39 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sharpe at 18 and Simons at 17 a game. Without Thybulle (19 straight), Clingan (2 straight), Murray (2 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Fox at 26 and DeRozan at 21 a game. One day's rest. So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-3 a night and Portland minus-4. Call it Sacramento 110, Portland 109, Portland keeping it close.

12/01 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 113, shooting 41 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; Simons at 18 and Sharpe at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Grant (2 straight), Thybulle (20 straight), Clingan (3 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Irving at 26 and Marshall at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Dončić (5 straight), Thompson (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Dallas wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Dallas has been plus-4 a night and Portland minus-4 and the arc, Dallas at 39 percent from three to Portland's 31. Call it Dallas 114, Portland 111, Portland keeping it close.

12/03 @ 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 112 a night and allowing 107, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Harden at 29 and Zubac at 16 a game. One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Simons at 22 and Ayton at 20 a game. Without Henderson (2 straight), Thybulle (21 straight), Clingan (4 straight). One day's rest. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 107 a night to Portland's 117. Call it the Clippers 114, Portland 108.

12/06 vs UTA — 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 113 a night and allowing 123, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Ayton at 19 and Simons at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Henderson (3 straight), Thybulle (22 straight), Clingan (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 119, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sexton at 18 and Collins at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Clarkson (5 straight), Hendricks (18 straight), Williams (5 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-4 a night and Portland minus-5 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 20 times a game to Portland's 14. Call it Portland 116, Utah 111.