1/11 vs UTA — 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 111 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 25 and Booker at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without O'Neale (5 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Sexton at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without George (3 straight), Collins (3 straight), Clarkson (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-7 a night and Phoenix minus-6 and the defense, Utah allowing 106 a night to Phoenix's 114. Call it Phoenix 113, Utah 112, Utah keeping it close.

1/12 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 112, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Booker at 25 and Durant at 24 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without O'Neale (6 straight), Nurkić (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 108, shooting 40 percent and 30 from three, 25 free throws a game; Bridges at 20 and Mar. Williams at 14 a game. Without Gra. Williams (19 straight), Mann (20 straight), Jeffries (3 straight). 4 days' rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-1 a night and Phoenix minus-6 and the arc, Phoenix at 37 percent from three to Charlotte's 30. Call it Phoenix 111, Charlotte 109, Charlotte keeping it close.

1/14 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 127, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Young at 26 and Hunter at 14 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Johnson (3 straight), Nance Jr. (6 straight), Wallace (5 straight). 4 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Durant at 25 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Nurkić (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 110 a night to Atlanta's 127. Call it Phoenix 117, Atlanta 115, Atlanta keeping it close.

1/16 @ 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 104 a night and allowing 128, shooting 42 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Poole at 18 and Butler at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Brogdon (5 straight), Holmes (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Booker at 32 and Durant at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Nurkić (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 114 a night to Washington's 128. Call it Phoenix 119, Washington 111.