11/12 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 45 from three, 25 free throws a game; Durant at 23 and Sengun at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Finney-Smith (9 straight). 2 days' rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 130, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sarr at 20 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Coulibaly (3 straight), Riley (2 straight), Gill (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-12 a night and Washington minus-8 and the defense, Houston allowing 110 a night to Washington's 130. Call it Houston 126, Washington 112, Houston by 14.

11/16 vs BKN — 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 115 a night and allowing 133, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sarr at 22 and McCollum at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Coulibaly (4 straight), Watkins (2 straight), Gill (3 straight). 3 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 117, shooting 41 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 26 and Claxton at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Thomas (4 straight), Traore (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 117 a night to Washington's 133 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 18 times a game to Brooklyn's 13. Call it Washington 119, Brooklyn 118, Brooklyn keeping it close.

11/19 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 98, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 28 free throws a game; Edwards at 26 and Randle at 22 a game. One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 132, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; McCollum at 24 and George at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 13 a night. Without Watkins (3 straight), Gill (4 straight), Cooper (10 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 98 a night to Washington's 132 and the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-2 a night and Washington minus-13. Call it Minnesota 124, Washington 108, Minnesota by 16.

11/21 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 111, shooting 53 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Ingram at 21 and Quickley at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Agbaji (5 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; McCollum at 22 and George at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Riley (2 straight), Watkins (4 straight), Gill (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Toronto has been plus-2 a night and Washington minus-12 and the defense, Toronto allowing 111 a night to Washington's 126. Call it Toronto 125, Washington 112, Toronto by 13.