11/18 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 28 and Fox at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Harper (7 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 118, shooting 41 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 19 and Aldama at 15 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Small (4 straight). 2 days' rest. So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the glass, where San Antonio has been plus-6 a night and Memphis minus-5 and the line, where Memphis takes 27 free throws a game to San Antonio's 20. Call it San Antonio 120, Memphis 111.

11/20 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 119, shooting 40 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Aldama at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Jackson (2 straight), Small (5 straight), Prosper (2 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 123, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sabonis at 20 and DeRozan at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Plowden (3 straight), Cardwell (9 straight), Carter (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-0 a night and Sacramento minus-8. Call it Memphis 117, Sacramento 112.

11/22 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 33 free throws a game; Flagg at 20 and Russell at 18 a game. Without Davis (11 straight), Nembhard (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 116, shooting 42 percent and 30 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Aldama at 17 a game. Without Morant (2 straight), Small (6 straight). One day's rest. So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the line, where Dallas takes 33 free throws a game to Memphis's 25 and the turnovers, Dallas giving it away 19 times a game to Memphis's 14. Call it Dallas 116, Memphis 115, Memphis keeping it close.

11/24 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 108, shooting 40 percent and 28 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 21 and Aldama at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Jackson Jr. (2 straight), Morant (3 straight), Small (7 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jokić at 34 and Murray at 24 a game. Without Braun (5 straight), Pickett (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 40 percent from three to Memphis's 28 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-8 a night and Denver plus-0. Call it Denver 112, Memphis 111, Memphis keeping it close.