12/26 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and McCollum at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (21 straight), Alvarado (19 straight), Payton (8 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brooks at 19 and Sengun at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (3 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 120 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Houston 114, New Orleans 108.

12/27 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 123, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and McCollum at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (22 straight), Alvarado (20 straight), Payton (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Bane at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Smart (2 straight), Williams Jr. (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-11 a night and New Orleans minus-3 and the arc, Memphis at 43 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it Memphis 122, New Orleans 112, Memphis by 10.

12/30 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 126, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Williamson (23 straight), Alvarado (21 straight), Payton (10 straight). 2 days' rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 103, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Powell at 28 and Harden at 25 a game. Without Mann (8 straight). 2 days' rest. So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 103 a night to New Orleans's 126 and the arc, the Clippers at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it the Clippers 116, New Orleans 109.

1/01 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Herro at 23 and Adebayo at 16 a game. Without Butler III (5 straight), Richardson (17 straight). 2 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Murphy III at 24 and McCollum at 23 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Williamson (24 straight), Alvarado (22 straight), Payton (11 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 122. Call it Miami 115, New Orleans 108.