11/15 vs DEN — 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 101 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 18 free throws a game; Ingram at 20 and Alvarado at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without McCollum (8 straight), Murray (11 straight), Jones (8 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 117, shooting 51 percent and 45 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Gordon (3 straight). 4 days' rest. So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 45 percent from three to New Orleans's 32 and the line, where Denver takes 28 free throws a game to New Orleans's 18. Call it Denver 118, New Orleans 112.

11/16 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Ingram at 20 and Alvarado at 17 a game. Without McCollum (9 straight), Murray (12 straight), Jones (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Davis at 28 and James at 26 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Hayes (2 straight), Vanderbilt (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-4 a night and the Lakers minus-3 and the arc, the Lakers at 40 percent from three to New Orleans's 33. Call it the Lakers 114, New Orleans 111, New Orleans keeping it close.

11/19 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Irving at 27 and Dončić at 27 a game. Without Edwards (5 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 105, shooting 41 percent and 31 from three, 17 free throws a game; Ingram at 23 and Boston at 14 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without McCollum (10 straight), Murray (13 straight), Jones (10 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-8 a night and Dallas plus-2 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 105 a night to Dallas's 114. Call it Dallas 114, New Orleans 105.

11/20 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Mitchell at 33 and Garland at 21 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 97 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 18 free throws a game; Ingram at 24 and Murphy III at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without McCollum (11 straight), Murray (14 straight), Jones (11 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 40 percent from three to New Orleans's 32 and the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-8 a night and Cleveland plus-1. Call it Cleveland 119, New Orleans 106, Cleveland by 13.