12/30 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sharpe at 23 and Avdija at 19 a game. Without Thybulle (31 straight), Williams III (3 straight), Banton (2 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Embiid at 26 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Edwards (11 straight), K. Martin (2 straight), Gordon (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-3 a night and Philadelphia minus-7 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 111 a night to Portland's 122. Call it Philadelphia 113, Portland 112, Portland keeping it close.

1/01 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 18 free throws a game; Fox at 28 and Sabonis at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 27 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Embiid at 26 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Edwards (12 straight), Gordon (4 straight), Drummond (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-5 a night and Philadelphia minus-6 and the arc, Philadelphia at 38 percent from three to Sacramento's 31. Call it Sacramento 112, Philadelphia 111, Philadelphia keeping it close.

1/02 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 109, shooting 40 percent and 28 from three, 21 free throws a game; Kuminga at 25 and Curry at 20 a game. Without Payton II (3 straight), Anderson (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 109, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Embiid at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the arc, Philadelphia at 39 percent from three to Golden State's 28 and the glass, where Golden State has been plus-3 a night and Philadelphia minus-7. Call it Golden State 111, Philadelphia 108, Philadelphia keeping it close.

1/04 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 22 and K. Johnson at 15 a game. Without Watford (8 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 27 free throws a game; Embiid at 31 and Maxey at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Oubre Jr. (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been minus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-10 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 109 a night to Philadelphia's 116. Call it Brooklyn 111, Philadelphia 110, Philadelphia keeping it close.