1/21 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Russell at 14 and Evbuomwan at 13 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Thomas (9 straight), Watford (17 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 115, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brunson at 35 and Towns at 23 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, New York at 41 percent from three to Brooklyn's 33. Call it New York 115, Brooklyn 111, Brooklyn keeping it close.

1/22 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 114, shooting 42 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 18 and Russell at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Thomas (10 straight), Simmons (2 straight), Watford (18 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Booker at 30 and Durant at 28 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Nurkić (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-3 a night and Phoenix minus-7 and the line, where Phoenix takes 27 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 19. Call it Phoenix 114, Brooklyn 110, Brooklyn keeping it close.

1/25 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 90 a night and allowing 112, shooting 38 percent and 29 from three, 19 free throws a game; Russell at 17 and Wilson at 11 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Thomas (11 straight), Simmons (3 straight), Williams (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Miami comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 14 free throws a game; Herro at 24 and Ware at 17 a game. Without Richardson (30 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 16 times a game to Miami's 11 and the arc, Miami at 35 percent from three to Brooklyn's 29. Call it Miami 110, Brooklyn 108, Brooklyn keeping it close.

1/27 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 108, shooting 40 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Russell at 18 and K. Johnson at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without C. Johnson (2 straight), Thomas (12 straight), Simmons (4 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; DeRozan at 26 and Sabonis at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 108 a night to Sacramento's 124 and the arc, Sacramento at 37 percent from three to Brooklyn's 31. Call it Sacramento 115, Brooklyn 111, Brooklyn keeping it close.