1/16 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 16 free throws a game; Simons at 23 and Sharpe at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Grant (8 straight), Thybulle (39 straight), Williams III (3 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 101, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Powell at 24 and Harden at 19 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 101 a night to Portland's 117 and the line, where the Clippers take 24 free throws a game to Portland's 16. Call it the Clippers 113, Portland 109, Portland keeping it close.

1/18 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 117, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Sharpe at 20 and Henderson at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Grant (9 straight), Avdija (2 straight), Thybulle (40 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 27 free throws a game; Green at 32 and Sengun at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Smith Jr. (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-4 a night and Portland minus-4 and the line, where Houston takes 27 free throws a game to Portland's 18. Call it Houston 117, Portland 111.

1/19 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 122, shooting 41 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Henderson at 20 and Sharpe at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Avdija (3 straight), Thybulle (41 straight), Clingan (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 14 free throws a game; LaVine at 26 and Vučević at 23 a game. That is 4 straight losses. One day's rest. So: Chicago wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-3 a night and Portland minus-8. Call it Chicago 119, Portland 112.

1/21 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 15 free throws a game; Herro at 28 and Jović at 14 a game. Without Richardson (28 straight), Burks (2 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 119, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Henderson at 21 and Sharpe at 18 a game. Without Thybulle (42 straight), Clingan (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the arc, Miami at 40 percent from three to Portland's 33 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 17 times a game to Miami's 13. Call it Miami 116, Portland 108.