1/09 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 19 and Coward at 16 a game. Without Morant (3 straight), Coward (2 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 27 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Holmgren at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Hartenstein (6 straight), Caruso (2 straight), J. Williams (12 straight). One day's rest. So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-2 a night and OKC minus-11 and the defense, OKC allowing 109 a night to Memphis's 122. Call it OKC 118, Memphis 113.

1/11 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Aldama at 12 a game. Without Morant (4 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 26 and Thomas at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Saraf (12 straight), Martin (3 straight), Etienne (13 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-3 a night and Brooklyn minus-7 and the line, where Brooklyn takes 26 free throws a game to Memphis's 20. Call it Memphis 115, Brooklyn 111, Brooklyn keeping it close.

1/15 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Banchero at 22 and Bane at 21 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (15 straight), Suggs (5 straight). 3 days' rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 18 and Coward at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Morant (5 straight), Mashack (2 straight), Small (2 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the line, where Orlando takes 26 free throws a game to Memphis's 19 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-7 a night and Orlando plus-2. Call it Orlando 116, Memphis 111.

1/18 vs ORL — 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 111, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 18 and Coward at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Morant (5 straight), Mashack (2 straight), Small (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Banchero at 22 and Bane at 21 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (15 straight), Suggs (5 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the line, where Orlando takes 26 free throws a game to Memphis's 19 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-7 a night and Orlando plus-2. Call it Memphis 114, Orlando 113, Orlando keeping it close.