11/18 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 18 free throws a game; Herro at 28 and Adebayo at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Butler III (4 straight), Smith (7 straight), Burks (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; McCain at 26 and George at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Maxey (5 straight), Edwards (12 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the arc, Miami at 40 percent from three to Philadelphia's 32 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 109 a night to Miami's 116. Call it Miami 112, Philadelphia 108, Philadelphia keeping it close.

11/20 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 29 from three, 27 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 24 and Aldama at 14 a game. Without Morant (6 straight), Smart (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 97 a night and allowing 107, shooting 42 percent and 30 from three, 19 free throws a game; McCain at 27 and George at 19 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Maxey (6 straight), Edwards (13 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-3 a night and Philadelphia minus-8 and the line, where Memphis takes 27 free throws a game to Philadelphia's 19. Call it Memphis 115, Philadelphia 105, Memphis by 10.

11/22 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 18 free throws a game; McCain at 25 and Embiid at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Edwards (14 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 46 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; Thomas at 23 and C. Johnson at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Claxton (3 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Brooklyn wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Brooklyn at 43 percent from three to Philadelphia's 31 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 109 a night to Brooklyn's 119. Call it Brooklyn 111, Philadelphia 110, Philadelphia keeping it close.

11/24 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 107, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 18 free throws a game; McCain at 27 and Embiid at 22 a game. Without Edwards (15 straight), Lowry (2 straight), Bona (2 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 102, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Harden at 20 and Powell at 17 a game. That is 4 straight wins. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Powell (2 straight). One day's rest. So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-7 a night and Philadelphia minus-3. Call it the Clippers 107, Philadelphia 105, Philadelphia keeping it close.