1/03 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 134, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Barnes at 24 and Barrett at 22 a game. Without Barrett (2 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 101, shooting 42 percent and 29 from three, 19 free throws a game; Suggs at 21 and Bitadze at 12 a game. Without Banchero (30 straight), Wagner (10 straight), Black (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 101 a night to Toronto's 134 and the arc, Toronto at 35 percent from three to Orlando's 29. Call it Orlando 113, Toronto 108.

1/06 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 127, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 16 free throws a game; Barnes at 23 and Poeltl at 14 a game. Without Barrett (3 straight), Lawson (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 29 and Lillard at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Wright (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Milwaukee wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Milwaukee allowing 111 a night to Toronto's 127 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 18 times a game to Milwaukee's 13. Call it Milwaukee 116, Toronto 111.

1/08 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Towns at 31 and Brunson at 24 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without McBride (4 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 17 free throws a game; Barnes at 22 and Quickley at 14 a game. Without Lawson (3 straight), Battle (2 straight), Boucher (2 straight). One day's rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 18 times a game to New York's 11 and the defense, New York allowing 114 a night to Toronto's 122. Call it New York 119, Toronto 108, New York by 11.

1/09 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Mobley at 20 and Garland at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Merrill (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 15 free throws a game; Barnes at 22 and Quickley at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Lawson (4 straight), Battle (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 38 percent from three to Toronto's 34 and the defense, Cleveland allowing 111 a night to Toronto's 117. Call it Cleveland 121, Toronto 107, Cleveland by 14.