12/19 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 93, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Edwards at 24 and Randle at 16 a game. 3 days' rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 106, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Brunson at 24 and Towns at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. 3 days' rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 93 a night to New York's 106 and the line, where New York takes 25 free throws a game to Minnesota's 18. Call it Minnesota 109, New York 105, New York keeping it close.

12/21 @ NOP — 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 121, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 21 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Williamson (19 straight), Alvarado (17 straight), Payton (6 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 107, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Towns at 24 and Brunson at 22 a game. One day's rest. So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 121 and the glass, where New York has been minus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-6. Call it New York 116, New Orleans 109.

12/23 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 101, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 24 and Towns at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest. Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Barrett at 25 and Dick at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Barrett (2 straight), Poeltl (2 straight), Quickley (18 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 101 a night to Toronto's 113 and the glass, where New York has been plus-1 a night and Toronto minus-5. Call it New York 116, Toronto 105, New York by 11.

12/25 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 105, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Towns at 23 and Brunson at 22 a game. That is 4 straight wins. One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 29 and Sochan at 15 a game. One day's rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-4 a night and San Antonio minus-1 and the arc, New York at 39 percent from three to San Antonio's 35. Call it New York 115, San Antonio 109.