2/01 vs BKN — 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 115 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Thompson at 21 and Green at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Smith Jr. (14 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 95 a night and allowing 101, shooting 39 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; Russell at 18 and K. Johnson at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without C. Johnson (4 straight), Thomas (14 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 39 percent from three to Brooklyn's 29 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-5 a night and Brooklyn minus-5. Call it Houston 112, Brooklyn 104.

2/03 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Brunson at 22 and Anunoby at 21 a game. One day's rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Green at 23 and Brooks at 20 a game. Without Sengun (2 straight), Smith Jr. (15 straight). One day's rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the line, where Houston takes 26 free throws a game to New York's 18. Call it New York 117, Houston 112.

2/04 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 101, shooting 42 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; K. Johnson at 17 and Russell at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without C. Johnson (5 straight), Thomas (15 straight), Clowney (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 112, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Green at 22 and Thompson at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Sengun (3 straight), Smith Jr. (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-4 a night and Brooklyn minus-5 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 101 a night to Houston's 112. Call it Brooklyn 108, Houston 107, Houston keeping it close.

2/06 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 35 and Reid at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Randle (3 straight), DiVincenzo (11 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 110, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Green at 23 and Brooks at 15 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without VanVleet (2 straight), Smith Jr. (17 straight). One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the arc, Minnesota at 40 percent from three to Houston's 32 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 15 times a game to Minnesota's 12. Call it Minnesota 113, Houston 109, Houston keeping it close.