12/18 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 20 and Portis at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Green (3 straight), Gia. Antetokounmpo (4 straight), Prince (19 straight). 3 days' rest. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 16 free throws a game; Ingram at 23 and Quickley at 18 a game. Without Barrett (10 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the line, where Milwaukee takes 22 free throws a game to Toronto's 16. Call it Milwaukee 113, Toronto 112, Toronto keeping it close.

12/21 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 30 free throws a game; Randle at 22 and DiVincenzo at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Conley (4 straight). One day's rest. Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 19 and Kuzma at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Gia. Antetokounmpo (5 straight), Prince (20 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-4 a night and Milwaukee minus-7 and the line, where Minnesota takes 30 free throws a game to Milwaukee's 21. Call it Minnesota 117, Milwaukee 109.

12/23 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 114, shooting 41 percent and 28 from three, 21 free throws a game; Siakam at 21 and Nembhard at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Nesmith (17 straight), Sheppard (7 straight), Toppin (26 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 20 and Kuzma at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Gia. Antetokounmpo (6 straight), Prince (21 straight), Nance (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the arc, Milwaukee at 35 percent from three to Indiana's 28 and the turnovers, Milwaukee giving it away 16 times a game to Indiana's 11. Call it Indiana 112, Milwaukee 111, Milwaukee keeping it close.

12/26 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 23 and Aldama at 19 a game. Without Morant (4 straight), Williams Jr. (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 19 and Portis at 18 a game. Without Gia. Antetokounmpo (7 straight), Prince (22 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the defense, Milwaukee allowing 107 a night to Memphis's 118 and the arc, Memphis at 39 percent from three to Milwaukee's 34. Call it Memphis 116, Milwaukee 111.