12/03 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 108, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 27 free throws a game; Durant at 23 and Sengun at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Eason (7 straight), Finney-Smith (18 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; DeRozan at 20 and Murray at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Sabonis (7 straight), Plowden (9 straight), Schröder (3 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-5 a night and Sacramento minus-7 and the defense, Houston allowing 108 a night to Sacramento's 118. Call it Houston 121, Sacramento 110, Houston by 11.

12/06 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Powell at 24 and Herro at 24 a game. Without Jakučionis (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 118, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 20 free throws a game; DeRozan at 19 and Monk at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 13 a night. Without Sabonis (8 straight), Plowden (10 straight), Schröder (4 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been minus-2 a night and Sacramento minus-13 and the arc, Miami at 40 percent from three to Sacramento's 31. Call it Miami 121, Sacramento 113.

12/08 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 112, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Siakam at 27 and Mathurin at 19 a game. Without Nesmith (11 straight), Que. Jackson (16 straight), Toppin (20 straight). 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; LaVine at 22 and Murray at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Sabonis (9 straight), Plowden (11 straight), Schröder (5 straight). One day's rest. So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Indiana has been minus-3 a night and Sacramento minus-11 and the arc, Indiana at 39 percent from three to Sacramento's 34. Call it Indiana 118, Sacramento 112.

12/11 vs DEN — 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 111 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; LaVine at 23 and DeRozan at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Sabonis (10 straight), Plowden (12 straight), Schröder (6 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 120, shooting 53 percent and 46 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Murray at 29 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Braun (12 straight), Gordon (8 straight). 3 days' rest. So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 46 percent from three to Sacramento's 34 and the glass, where Denver has been minus-1 a night and Sacramento minus-8. Call it Denver 121, Sacramento 115.