12/15 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Haliburton at 22 and McConnell at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Nesmith (20 straight), Sheppard (13 straight), Isa. Jackson (20 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; McCollum at 24 and Murphy III at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Williamson (17 straight), Alvarado (15 straight), Hawkins (7 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the defense, Indiana allowing 113 a night to New Orleans's 120 and the arc, Indiana at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it Indiana 117, New Orleans 111.

12/19 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 42 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Beal at 19 a game. Without Beal (2 straight). 3 days' rest. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Haliburton at 20 and Siakam at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Nesmith (21 straight), Sheppard (14 straight), Isa. Jackson (21 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Indiana allowing 109 a night to Phoenix's 119 and the glass, where Phoenix has been minus-0 a night and Indiana minus-5. Call it Phoenix 116, Indiana 114, Indiana keeping it close.

12/22 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Fox at 25 and Sabonis at 23 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Second night of a back-to-back. Indiana comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 112, shooting 51 percent and 42 from three, 20 free throws a game; Siakam at 20 and Haliburton at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Nesmith (22 straight), Isa. Jackson (22 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the arc, Indiana at 42 percent from three to Sacramento's 37. Call it Sacramento 116, Indiana 114, Indiana keeping it close.

12/23 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 117, shooting 44 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Curry at 22 and Wiggins at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Moody (4 straight), Post (15 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 106, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Siakam at 20 and Haliburton at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Nesmith (23 straight), Isa. Jackson (23 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the defense, Indiana allowing 106 a night to Golden State's 117. Call it Golden State 114, Indiana 113, Indiana keeping it close.