1/02 @ NOP — 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 117 a night and allowing 129, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 31 free throws a game; Williamson at 26 and Murphy III at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (5 straight), Murray (5 straight), Alvarado (2 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Avdija at 24 and Sharpe at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Holiday (22 straight), Grant (7 straight), Henderson (34 straight). One day's rest. So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-9 a night and New Orleans minus-5 and the line, where New Orleans takes 31 free throws a game to Portland's 20. Call it New Orleans 119, Portland 117, Portland keeping it close.

1/03 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 29 from three, 29 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 27 and Fox at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Vassell (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Avdija at 26 and Sharpe at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Holiday (23 straight), Grant (8 straight), Henderson (35 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the arc, Portland at 38 percent from three to San Antonio's 29 and the line, where San Antonio takes 29 free throws a game to Portland's 22. Call it San Antonio 120, Portland 114.

1/05 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Avdija at 26 and Sharpe at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Holiday (24 straight), Grant (9 straight), Henderson (36 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 123, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; George at 30 and Markkanen at 29 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Kessler (29 straight), Bailey (4 straight), Nurkić (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-6 a night and Utah minus-6 and the defense, Portland allowing 115 a night to Utah's 123. Call it Portland 121, Utah 117, Utah keeping it close.

1/07 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Avdija at 28 and Sharpe at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Holiday (25 straight), Grant (10 straight), Henderson (37 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 104, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Thompson at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. One day's rest. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 104 a night to Portland's 116 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-13 a night and Portland plus-5. Call it Houston 116, Portland 114, Portland keeping it close.