1/23 vs NOP — 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.

1/26 @ 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 115 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Durant at 29 and Sengun at 20 a game. 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Coward at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Aldama (2 straight), Mashack (4 straight), Pippen Jr. (2 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 39 percent from three to Memphis's 35 and the defense, Houston allowing 111 a night to Memphis's 118. Call it Houston 118, Memphis 111.

1/28 vs CHA — 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 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 19 and Landale at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Mashack (5 straight), Pippen Jr. (3 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 97, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Miller at 24 and Knueppel at 15 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Hall (9 straight). One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Charlotte allowing 97 a night to Memphis's 116 and the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-12 a night and Memphis plus-4. Call it Charlotte 115, Memphis 111, Memphis keeping it close.

1/30 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; Bey at 21 and Murphy III at 19 a game. Without Murray (19 straight), Poole (2 straight), McGowens (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Landale at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Mashack (6 straight), Pippen Jr. (4 straight), Small (2 straight). One day's rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 15 times a game to New Orleans's 12. Call it New Orleans 115, Memphis 113, Memphis keeping it close.