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.

11/26 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 123, shooting 47 percent and 31 from three, 27 free throws a game; Williamson at 22 and Murphy III at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (2 straight), Poole (11 straight), Jordan (14 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 107, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Aldama at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Morant (4 straight), Mashack (2 straight), Small (8 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Memphis allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 123 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-10 a night and New Orleans plus-5. Call it Memphis 116, New Orleans 114, New Orleans keeping it close.

11/28 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Harden at 32 and Zubac at 18 a game. Without Jones Jr. (5 straight), Miller (5 straight), Bogdanović (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Aldama at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Morant (5 straight), Mashack (3 straight), Jackson (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-12 a night and the Clippers minus-3 and the defense, Memphis allowing 111 a night to the Clippers' 122. Call it Memphis 116, the Clippers 115, the Clippers keeping it close.

11/30 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 122, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murray at 20 and LaVine at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Sabonis (6 straight), Plowden (8 straight), Schröder (2 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 22 and Aldama at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Morant (6 straight), Mashack (4 straight), Jackson (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-11 a night and Sacramento minus-7 and the defense, Memphis allowing 110 a night to Sacramento's 122. Call it Memphis 119, Sacramento 114.