1/28 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 109, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 27 free throws a game; Mitchell at 31 and Mobley at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Hunter (2 straight), Merrill (6 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Dončić at 35 and James at 21 a game. Without Reaves (16 straight). One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 40 percent from three to Cleveland's 32 and the turnovers, Cleveland giving it away 15 times a game to the Lakers' 11. Call it Cleveland 115, the Lakers 113, the Lakers keeping it close.

1/30 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sarr at 22 and George at 18 a game. Without Bagley III (4 straight), Cooper (2 straight), Whitmore (25 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Dončić at 36 and James at 19 a game. Without Reaves (17 straight). One day's rest. So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-1 a night and Washington minus-4 and the arc, the Lakers at 38 percent from three to Washington's 34. Call it Washington 115, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.

2/01 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 90, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 24 and Anunoby at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 13 a night. Without McBride (2 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Dončić at 35 and James at 19 a game. Without Reaves (18 straight). One day's rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 90 a night to the Lakers' 116 and the glass, where New York has been plus-13 a night and the Lakers minus-2. Call it New York 118, the Lakers 108, New York by 10.

2/03 @ 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 96 a night and allowing 114, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 28 and Thomas at 15 a game. Without Porter Jr. (2 straight), Clowney (5 straight), Williams (3 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Dončić at 35 and James at 19 a game. Without Reaves (19 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 37 percent from three to Brooklyn's 31 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 16 times a game to the Lakers' 12. Call it the Lakers 114, Brooklyn 110, Brooklyn keeping it close.