1/18 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 110, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 27 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Thompson at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 29 and Williamson at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (6 straight), Murray (14 straight), Alvarado (6 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Houston's 29 and the defense, Houston allowing 110 a night to New Orleans's 119. Call it Houston 117, New Orleans 113, New Orleans keeping it close.

1/21 vs DET — 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 116 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and Williamson at 21 a game. Without Jones (7 straight), Murray (15 straight), Alvarado (7 straight). 2 days' rest. Detroit comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 95, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Robinson at 16 and Duren at 16 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. So: Detroit wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Detroit allowing 95 a night to New Orleans's 122 and the arc, New Orleans at 41 percent from three to Detroit's 33. Call it Detroit 116, New Orleans 110.

1/23 @ MEM — 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 109 a night and allowing 112, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 19 and Coward at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Mashack (3 straight), Small (3 straight), Prosper (3 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Murphy III at 25 and Williamson at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Jones (8 straight), Murray (16 straight), Alvarado (8 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 17 times a game to New Orleans's 12 and the line, where New Orleans takes 26 free throws a game to Memphis's 20. Call it Memphis 117, New Orleans 113, New Orleans keeping it close.

1/25 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. San Antonio comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 27 and Fox at 20 a game. Without Vassell (13 straight). 2 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murphy III at 25 and Williamson at 20 a game. Without Murray (17 straight), Alvarado (9 straight), Jordan (43 straight). One day's rest. So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 111 a night to New Orleans's 120 and the arc, San Antonio at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it San Antonio 121, New Orleans 113.