11/30 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Ivey at 19 and Beasley at 17 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 114, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; Maxey at 22 and McCain at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without George (3 straight), Embiid (3 straight), Lowry (4 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the arc, Detroit at 38 percent from three to Philadelphia's 31 and the glass, where Detroit has been plus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-5. Call it Detroit 113, Philadelphia 109, Philadelphia keeping it close.

12/03 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 105, shooting 39 percent and 34 from three, 16 free throws a game; Ball at 42 and Miller at 25 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Ball (2 straight), Bridges (6 straight), Gra. Williams (4 straight). 2 days' rest. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and McCain at 18 a game. Without C. Martin (2 straight), Embiid (4 straight), Lowry (5 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the line, where Philadelphia takes 23 free throws a game to Charlotte's 16 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 105 a night to Philadelphia's 112. Call it Charlotte 109, Philadelphia 107, Philadelphia keeping it close.

12/04 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 109, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Maxey at 26 and McCain at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Embiid (5 straight), Dowtin Jr. (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Orlando comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Wagner at 24 and Suggs at 17 a game. Without Banchero (18 straight), Harris (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Orlando has been plus-2 a night and Philadelphia minus-4. Call it Orlando 108, Philadelphia 107, Philadelphia keeping it close.

12/06 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and McCain at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Embiid (6 straight), Edwards (2 straight), Gordon (2 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 107, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Wagner at 27 and Suggs at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Banchero (19 straight), Harris (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Orlando has been plus-6 a night and Philadelphia minus-7. Call it Orlando 109, Philadelphia 107, Philadelphia keeping it close.