12/06 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Hunter at 22 and Johnson at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Krejčí (2 straight), Nance Jr. (9 straight), Mathews (2 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 27 from three, 18 free throws a game; James at 19 and Davis at 17 a game. Without Reaves (3 straight), Hayes (5 straight), Vanderbilt (16 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-10 a night and the Lakers minus-3 and the arc, Atlanta at 35 percent from three to the Lakers' 27. Call it Atlanta 117, the Lakers 108.

12/08 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Hunter at 22 and Young at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Nance Jr. (10 straight), Mathews (3 straight), Wallace (10 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 118, shooting 52 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jokić at 36 and Porter Jr. at 19 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-10 a night and Denver minus-3 and the defense, Atlanta allowing 111 a night to Denver's 118. Call it Atlanta 120, Denver 115.

12/11 @ 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 118 a night and allowing 104, shooting 51 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; Bridges at 22 and Brunson at 22 a game. One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 30 from three, 24 free throws a game; Hunter at 21 and Johnson at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Wallace (11 straight), Gueye (17 straight). 2 days' rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the arc, New York at 43 percent from three to Atlanta's 30 and the defense, New York allowing 104 a night to Atlanta's 119. Call it New York 120, Atlanta 111.

12/14 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 112, shooting 50 percent and 43 from three, 26 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 32 and Lillard at 25 a game. Without Wright (3 straight). 3 days' rest. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; Hunter at 22 and Young at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Wallace (12 straight), Gueye (18 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the arc, Milwaukee at 43 percent from three to Atlanta's 30 and the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-9 a night and Milwaukee minus-3. Call it Milwaukee 117, Atlanta 114, Atlanta keeping it close.