12/12 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; McCollum at 19 and Murphy III at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Williamson (16 straight), Alvarado (14 straight), Hawkins (6 straight). 3 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; DeRozan at 22 and Sabonis at 22 a game. Without Lyles (7 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Sacramento at 41 percent from three to New Orleans's 31 and the glass, where Sacramento has been minus-0 a night and New Orleans minus-10. Call it Sacramento 119, New Orleans 111.

12/15 @ IND — 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 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 105, shooting 42 percent and 29 from three, 20 free throws a game; Green at 19 and Sengun at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Whitmore (10 straight). 4 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; McCollum at 21 and Murray at 20 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Williamson (18 straight), Alvarado (16 straight), Hawkins (8 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-6 a night and New Orleans minus-5 and the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 119. Call it Houston 114, New Orleans 106.

12/21 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 21 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Williamson (19 straight), Alvarado (17 straight), Payton (6 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 107, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Towns at 24 and Brunson at 22 a game. One day's rest. So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 121 and the glass, where New York has been minus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-6. Call it New York 116, New Orleans 109.