11/25 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Boston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Tatum at 27 and Brown at 26 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Porziņģis (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 97, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Harden at 20 and Zubac at 15 a game. That is 5 straight wins. They have won the glass by 8 a night. Without Powell (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 97 a night to Boston's 111 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-8 a night and Boston minus-1. Call it Boston 112, the Clippers 109, the Clippers keeping it close.

11/27 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Poole at 18 and Kuzma at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Poole (2 straight), Champagnie (6 straight), Holmes (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 101, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Harden at 20 and Zubac at 15 a game. They have won the glass by 8 a night. Without Powell (4 straight). One day's rest. So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 101 a night to Washington's 122 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-8 a night and Washington minus-4. Call it the Clippers 114, Washington 106.

11/29 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 27 and Randle at 25 a game. That is 4 straight losses. One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 100, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Harden at 26 and Zubac at 17 a game. They have won the glass by 9 a night. Without Powell (5 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-9 a night and Minnesota minus-2 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 100 a night to Minnesota's 113. Call it the Clippers 110, Minnesota 108, Minnesota keeping it close.

12/01 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 100, shooting 47 percent and 31 from three, 18 free throws a game; Harden at 25 and Zubac at 17 a game. Without Powell (6 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 117, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. Without Gordon (10 straight). 3 days' rest. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 100 a night to Denver's 117 and the arc, Denver at 40 percent from three to the Clippers' 31. Call it the Clippers 113, Denver 111, Denver keeping it close.