1/27 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 117, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sarr at 20 and George at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Coulibaly (5 straight), Bagley III (2 straight), Whitmore (23 straight). 2 days' rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sharpe at 22 and Grant at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Avdija (2 straight), Henderson (47 straight), Murray (10 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Portland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-6 a night and Washington minus-3 and the defense, Portland allowing 110 a night to Washington's 117. Call it Portland 116, Washington 114, Washington keeping it close.

1/30 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 94, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brunson at 23 and Anunoby at 16 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 109, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sharpe at 23 and Avdija at 22 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Henderson (48 straight), Murray (11 straight), Thybulle (43 straight). 2 days' rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 94 a night to Portland's 109 and the arc, New York at 38 percent from three to Portland's 32. Call it New York 115, Portland 106.

2/01 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 113, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sharpe at 23 and Avdija at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Henderson (49 straight), Murray (12 straight), Thybulle (44 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Mitchell at 31 and Mobley at 21 a game. Without Mobley (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 18 times a game to Cleveland's 13 and the arc, Cleveland at 38 percent from three to Portland's 32. Call it Cleveland 116, Portland 113, Portland keeping it close.

2/03 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 117, shooting 41 percent and 30 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sharpe at 21 and Grant at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Henderson (50 straight), Murray (13 straight), Thybulle (45 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brooks at 28 and Allen at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Booker (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-4 a night and Phoenix minus-5 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Phoenix's 13. Call it Phoenix 113, Portland 110, Portland keeping it close.