1/28 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 120, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Nembhard at 17 a game. Without Toppin (44 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 113, shooting 51 percent and 45 from three, 16 free throws a game; White at 24 and Vučević at 16 a game. Without Jones (2 straight), Collins (15 straight). One day's rest. So: Chicago wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 45 percent from three to Indiana's 32 and the turnovers, Indiana giving it away 17 times a game to Chicago's 12. Call it Chicago 119, Indiana 113.

1/31 vs ATL — 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 111 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Siakam at 25 and Nembhard at 17 a game. Without Toppin (45 straight). 2 days' rest. Atlanta comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 42 from three, 15 free throws a game; Johnson at 22 and McCollum at 19 a game. Without Risacher (11 straight). One day's rest. So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Atlanta at 42 percent from three to Indiana's 35 and the defense, Atlanta allowing 110 a night to Indiana's 118. Call it Atlanta 115, Indiana 114, Indiana keeping it close.

2/02 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Siakam at 25 and Nembhard at 17 a game. Without Thompson (2 straight), Que. Jackson (2 straight), Toppin (46 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 101, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 27 and Sengun at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 101 a night to Indiana's 120 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-6 a night and Indiana plus-0. Call it Houston 114, Indiana 111, Indiana keeping it close.

2/03 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Siakam at 24 and Nesmith at 18 a game. Without Thompson (3 straight), Que. Jackson (3 straight), Toppin (47 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 25 free throws a game; George at 21 and Markkanen at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Kessler (45 straight), Harkless (36 straight), Tshiebwe (17 straight). One day's rest. So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the arc, Indiana at 41 percent from three to Utah's 32 and the glass, where Indiana has been minus-2 a night and Utah minus-7. Call it Indiana 120, Utah 116, Utah keeping it close.