1/20 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Vučević at 20 and White at 17 a game. Without Giddey (10 straight), Collins (11 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 30 free throws a game; Leonard at 31 and Harden at 28 a game. That is 5 straight wins. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Leonard (2 straight), Jones Jr. (8 straight), Bogdanović (12 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the line, where the Clippers take 30 free throws a game to Chicago's 17 and the glass, where Chicago has been plus-1 a night and the Clippers minus-5. Call it Chicago 116, the Clippers 113, the Clippers keeping it close.

1/22 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 39 and Randle at 24 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 17 free throws a game; Vučević at 21 and White at 18 a game. Without Giddey (11 straight), Williams (2 straight), Collins (12 straight). One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the line, where Minnesota takes 25 free throws a game to Chicago's 17. Call it Minnesota 119, Chicago 116, Chicago keeping it close.

1/24 vs BOS — 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 LAL — 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 121 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 44 from three, 16 free throws a game; White at 22 and Vučević at 16 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Collins (14 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and James at 21 a game. Without Reaves (15 straight). One day's rest. So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 23 free throws a game to Chicago's 16 and the arc, Chicago at 44 percent from three to the Lakers' 39. Call it Chicago 118, the Lakers 113.