1/20 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and Williamson at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Jones (5 straight), Payton (21 straight), Reeves (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Sensabaugh at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Markkanen (3 straight), Collins (7 straight), Clarkson (7 straight). 2 days' rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Utah's 33 and the line, where New Orleans takes 27 free throws a game to Utah's 20. Call it New Orleans 118, Utah 112.

1/24 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Bane at 23 and Morant at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Smart (15 straight), Williams Jr. (29 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and Murray at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Jones (6 straight), Missi (2 straight), Boston (2 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the line, where New Orleans takes 27 free throws a game to Memphis's 20 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-0 a night and New Orleans minus-4. Call it Memphis 122, New Orleans 115.

1/25 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Ball at 24 and Mar. Williams at 23 a game. Without Gra. Williams (25 straight), Mann (26 straight), Salaün (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 122, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 28 free throws a game; Murphy III at 24 and McCollum at 22 a game. Without Jones (7 straight), Williamson (2 straight), Boston (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the defense, Charlotte allowing 115 a night to New Orleans's 122 and the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 15 times a game to New Orleans's 12. Call it Charlotte 116, New Orleans 115, New Orleans keeping it close.

1/27 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 107, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barrett at 20 and Barnes at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Quickley (6 straight), Agbaji (4 straight), Mogbo (3 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 124, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 28 free throws a game; McCollum at 23 and Murray at 22 a game. Without Jones (8 straight), Boston (4 straight), Payton (24 straight). One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the defense, Toronto allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 124 and the glass, where Toronto has been plus-3 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Toronto 118, New Orleans 112.