12/20 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 123, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; LaVine at 23 and DeRozan at 19 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Sabonis (13 straight), Plowden (15 straight), Carter (2 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 130, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 27 free throws a game; Avdija at 26 and Sharpe at 25 a game. Without Holiday (15 straight), Henderson (27 straight), Thybulle (22 straight). One day's rest. So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the defense, Sacramento allowing 123 a night to Portland's 130 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Sacramento's 16. Call it Sacramento 121, Portland 120, Portland keeping it close.

12/22 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Sharpe at 24 and Avdija at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Holiday (16 straight), Henderson (28 straight), Thybulle (23 straight). One day's rest. Detroit comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 31 from three, 27 free throws a game; Cunningham at 24 and Duren at 14 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest. So: Detroit wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-10 a night and Portland minus-4 and the defense, Detroit allowing 107 a night to Portland's 124. Call it Detroit 120, Portland 115.

12/23 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 30 free throws a game; Sharpe at 26 and Avdija at 24 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Holiday (17 straight), Grant (2 straight), Henderson (29 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Bane at 22 and Banchero at 21 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (4 straight), Suggs (3 straight), da Silva (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Orlando has been plus-2 a night and Portland minus-4 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 18 times a game to Orlando's 13. Call it Portland 118, Orlando 117, Orlando keeping it close.

12/26 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 30 free throws a game; Sharpe at 26 and Avdija at 26 a game. Without Holiday (18 straight), Grant (3 straight), Henderson (30 straight). 2 days' rest. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Leonard at 28 and Harden at 21 a game. Without Jones Jr. (16 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the line, where Portland takes 30 free throws a game to the Clippers' 23 and the arc, the Clippers at 39 percent from three to Portland's 34. Call it Portland 116, the Clippers 113, the Clippers keeping it close.