11/14 vs LAL — 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 110 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Murphy III at 23 and Bey at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Williamson (5 straight), Poole (4 straight), Jordan (7 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 26 free throws a game; Dončić at 28 and Hachimura at 17 a game. Without Vincent (9 straight). One day's rest. So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 26 free throws a game to New Orleans's 20. Call it the Lakers 116, New Orleans 114, New Orleans keeping it close.

11/16 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and Bey at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Williamson (6 straight), Poole (5 straight), McGowens (2 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 113, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 35 and Butler III at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Santos (2 straight), Spencer (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Golden State takes 27 free throws a game to New Orleans's 20 and the glass, where New Orleans has been minus-0 a night and Golden State minus-5. Call it Golden State 115, New Orleans 112, New Orleans keeping it close.

11/17 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 28 and Fears at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (7 straight), Poole (6 straight), Jordan (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 98, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Wiggins (5 straight). One day's rest. So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 98 a night to New Orleans's 123 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-6 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it OKC 121, New Orleans 106, OKC by 15.

11/19 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 23 and Fears at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (8 straight), Poole (7 straight), Jordan (10 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 103, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 30 free throws a game; Jokić at 37 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Braun (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 103 a night to New Orleans's 123 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Denver 117, New Orleans 108.