12/07 vs LAL — 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.

12/12 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Maxey at 31 and Grimes at 17 a game. Without Oubre Jr. (11 straight), Watford (6 straight). 4 days' rest. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Mathurin at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Nesmith (12 straight), Sheppard (2 straight), Que. Jackson (17 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Philadelphia has been minus-1 a night and Indiana minus-7 and the arc, Indiana at 39 percent from three to Philadelphia's 34. Call it Philadelphia 118, Indiana 112.

12/14 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Johnson at 25 and Alexander-Walker at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Young (21 straight), Porziņģis (2 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 104, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Maxey at 28 and Embiid at 22 a game. Without Oubre Jr. (12 straight), Bona (2 straight), Watford (7 straight). One day's rest. So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 104 a night to Atlanta's 121 and the glass, where Philadelphia has been plus-3 a night and Atlanta minus-5. Call it Philadelphia 116, Atlanta 114, Atlanta keeping it close.

12/19 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 106, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brunson at 30 and Towns at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without McBride (2 straight), Shamet (10 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 107, shooting 41 percent and 36 from three, 27 free throws a game; Maxey at 25 and George at 22 a game. Without Maxey (2 straight), Oubre Jr. (13 straight), Bona (3 straight). 4 days' rest. So: New York wins, and the game turns on the arc, New York at 40 percent from three to Philadelphia's 36. Call it New York 116, Philadelphia 111.