12/08 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 126, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 17 free throws a game; Vučević at 25 and LaVine at 20 a game. Without Williams (9 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 104, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and George at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Embiid (7 straight), Edwards (3 straight), Gordon (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 104 a night to Chicago's 126 and the glass, where Chicago has been plus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-5. Call it Chicago 117, Philadelphia 114, Philadelphia keeping it close.

12/13 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 100, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Maxey at 21 and George at 18 a game. Without Edwards (4 straight), Gordon (4 straight), Council IV (2 straight). 4 days' rest. Indiana comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; McConnell at 18 and Haliburton at 17 a game. Without Nesmith (19 straight), Sheppard (12 straight), Isa. Jackson (19 straight). 4 days' rest. So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 100 a night to Indiana's 119 and the glass, where Philadelphia has been plus-1 a night and Indiana minus-4. Call it Philadelphia 113, Indiana 108.

12/16 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 114, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Miller at 26 and Micić at 11 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Ball (7 straight), Gra. Williams (9 straight), Mann (10 straight). 2 days' rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Maxey at 20 and George at 19 a game. Without Edwards (5 straight), Gordon (5 straight), Bona (3 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 105 a night to Charlotte's 114. Call it Charlotte 109, Philadelphia 108, Philadelphia keeping it close.

12/20 vs CHA — 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 108 a night and allowing 106, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and George at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without C. Martin (2 straight), Edwards (6 straight), Bona (4 straight). 3 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 44 percent and 27 from three, 23 free throws a game; Miller at 21 and Bridges at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Gra. Williams (11 straight), Mann (12 straight), Simpson (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the arc, Philadelphia at 34 percent from three to Charlotte's 27 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 106 a night to Charlotte's 116. Call it Philadelphia 113, Charlotte 105.