11/26 vs MEM — 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 117 a night and allowing 123, shooting 47 percent and 31 from three, 27 free throws a game; Williamson at 22 and Murphy III at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (2 straight), Poole (11 straight), Jordan (14 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 107, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Aldama at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Morant (4 straight), Mashack (2 straight), Small (8 straight). One day's rest. So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Memphis allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 123 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-10 a night and New Orleans plus-5. Call it Memphis 116, New Orleans 114, New Orleans keeping it close.

11/29 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 29 and Butler III at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Kuminga (7 straight), Horford (2 straight). 2 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 124, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Williamson at 20 and Murphy III at 20 a game. Without Jones (3 straight), Poole (12 straight), Jordan (15 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-3 a night and Golden State minus-4 and the defense, Golden State allowing 116 a night to New Orleans's 124. Call it Golden State 120, New Orleans 114.

11/30 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. The Lakers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 113, shooting 54 percent and 39 from three, 30 free throws a game; Dončić at 38 and Reaves at 28 a game. That is 5 straight wins. They have won the glass by 4 a night. Without Vanderbilt (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Williamson at 23 and Murphy III at 19 a game. Without Jones (4 straight), Poole (13 straight), Jordan (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 39 percent from three to New Orleans's 33 and the defense, the Lakers allowing 113 a night to New Orleans's 120. Call it the Lakers 124, New Orleans 111, the Lakers by 13.

12/02 vs MIN — 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 117 a night and allowing 123, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Williamson at 24 and Bey at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Murphy III (2 straight), Jones (5 straight), Poole (14 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 37 and Randle at 17 a game. One day's rest. So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 114 a night to New Orleans's 123 and the turnovers, Minnesota giving it away 15 times a game to New Orleans's 12. Call it Minnesota 117, New Orleans 115, New Orleans keeping it close.