1/30 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 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.

1/31 @ PHI — 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 119, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Embiid at 34 and Maxey at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Grimes (2 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 27 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bey at 24 and Williamson at 19 a game. Without Murray (20 straight), Poole (3 straight), McGowens (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-2 a night and Philadelphia minus-10 and the arc, Philadelphia at 37 percent from three to New Orleans's 27. Call it Philadelphia 118, New Orleans 113.

2/02 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 106, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Miller at 25 and Ball at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Hall (12 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Bey at 26 and Williamson at 20 a game. Without Murray (21 straight), Poole (4 straight), McGowens (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the arc, Charlotte at 42 percent from three to New Orleans's 31 and the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-11 a night and New Orleans plus-1. Call it Charlotte 118, New Orleans 111.

2/04 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Rollins at 22 and Kuzma at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Porter Jr. (6 straight), Gia. Antetokounmpo (4 straight), Prince (40 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 106, shooting 41 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; Bey at 21 and Williamson at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Murray (22 straight), Poole (5 straight), McGowens (6 straight). One day's rest. So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the arc, Milwaukee at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 30 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 106 a night to Milwaukee's 114. Call it Milwaukee 112, New Orleans 111, New Orleans keeping it close.