12/04 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 29 from three, 20 free throws a game; Ingram at 24 and Barnes at 24 a game. Without Barrett (5 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 118, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Dončić at 37 and Reaves at 28 a game. Without Smart (3 straight), Vanderbilt (6 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 39 percent from three to Toronto's 29 and the defense, Toronto allowing 109 a night to the Lakers' 118. Call it Toronto 116, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.

12/05 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brown at 34 and White at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 121, shooting 53 percent and 43 from three, 26 free throws a game; Dončić at 38 and Reaves at 32 a game. Without Smart (4 straight), Vanderbilt (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 113 a night to the Lakers' 121 and the line, where the Lakers take 26 free throws a game to Boston's 21. Call it Boston 120, the Lakers 116, the Lakers keeping it close.

12/07 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Maxey at 30 and Grimes at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Oubre Jr. (10 straight), Watford (5 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 122, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 27 free throws a game; Dončić at 36 and Reaves at 33 a game. Without Dončić (2 straight), Smart (5 straight), Vanderbilt (8 straight). One day's rest. So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 42 percent from three to Philadelphia's 32 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 109 a night to the Lakers' 122. Call it Philadelphia 120, the Lakers 114.

12/10 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Dončić at 34 and Reaves at 28 a game. Without Smart (6 straight). 2 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Fox at 25 and Vassell at 16 a game. Without Wembanyama (11 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 120, San Antonio 117, San Antonio keeping it close.