1/27 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 131, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; George at 29 and Nurkić at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Markkanen (7 straight), Kessler (41 straight), Harkless (32 straight). 2 days' rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 27 free throws a game; Harden at 26 and Collins at 16 a game. They have won the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones Jr. (11 straight), Bogdanović (15 straight). One day's rest. So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 111 a night to Utah's 131 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-5 a night and Utah minus-5. Call it the Clippers 121, Utah 116.

1/30 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murray at 26 and Watson at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Jokić (16 straight), Braun (10 straight), Johnson (19 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Leonard at 24 and Harden at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have won the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones Jr. (12 straight), Bogdanović (16 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Clippers giving it away 16 times a game to Denver's 9 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-5 a night and Denver minus-4. Call it Denver 112, the Clippers 111, the Clippers keeping it close.

2/01 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brooks at 26 and Allen at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Booker (4 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Leonard at 24 and Harden at 20 a game. Without Jones Jr. (13 straight), Bogdanović (17 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-4 a night and Phoenix minus-0. Call it Phoenix 113, the Clippers 110, the Clippers keeping it close.

2/02 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 102, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Leonard at 24 and Harden at 20 a game. They have won the glass by 10 a night. Without Jones Jr. (14 straight), Bogdanović (18 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Embiid at 36 and Maxey at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest. So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-10 a night and Philadelphia minus-9 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 102 a night to Philadelphia's 118. Call it the Clippers 116, Philadelphia 111.