1/23 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 119, shooting 43 percent and 39 from three, 16 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 20 and Clowney at 12 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Saraf (19 straight), Johnson (6 straight), Etienne (20 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 105, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brown at 32 and Hauser at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Minott (9 straight). One day's rest. So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-8 a night and Brooklyn minus-9 and the defense, Boston allowing 105 a night to Brooklyn's 119. Call it Boston 115, Brooklyn 107.

1/24 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Chicago comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 43 from three, 19 free throws a game; Vučević at 20 and White at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Collins (13 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brown at 31 and Hauser at 20 a game. Without Minott (10 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 43 percent from three to Boston's 38 and the turnovers, Boston giving it away 13 times a game to Chicago's 10. Call it Chicago 118, Boston 115, Boston keeping it close.

1/26 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brown at 33 and Hauser at 18 a game. Without Minott (11 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 109, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sharpe at 25 and Grant at 14 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Henderson (46 straight), Murray (9 straight), Thybulle (41 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-8 a night and Boston plus-0 and the arc, Boston at 38 percent from three to Portland's 33. Call it Boston 117, Portland 113, Portland keeping it close.

1/28 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brown at 28 and Pritchard at 18 a game. Without Minott (12 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Johnson at 22 and Alexander-Walker at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Risacher (9 straight). One day's rest. So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 108 a night to Atlanta's 117. Call it Boston 118, Atlanta 111.