1/09 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 29 and Butler III at 20 a game. Without Kuminga (10 straight), Spencer (3 straight), Hield (3 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 119, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 16 and Westbrook at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Sabonis (23 straight), Plowden (25 straight), Monk (3 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the arc, Golden State at 37 percent from three to Sacramento's 31 and the glass, where Golden State has been minus-1 a night and Sacramento minus-7. Call it Golden State 119, Sacramento 108, Golden State by 11.

1/11 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 29 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 19 and LaVine at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Murray (2 straight), Sabonis (24 straight), Plowden (26 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 103, shooting 43 percent and 26 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 30 and Thompson at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. Without Sengun (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-13 a night and Sacramento minus-8 and the defense, Houston allowing 103 a night to Sacramento's 120. Call it Houston 115, Sacramento 108.

1/12 vs LAL — 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 102 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; LaVine at 18 and DeRozan at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Murray (3 straight), Sabonis (25 straight), Plowden (27 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and James at 28 a game. Without Reaves (7 straight), Hachimura (6 straight). 2 days' rest. So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-0 a night and Sacramento minus-6. Call it the Lakers 115, Sacramento 110.

1/14 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 112, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; DeRozan at 22 and LaVine at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Murray (4 straight), Sabonis (26 straight), Plowden (28 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 18 free throws a game; Brunson at 27 and Towns at 17 a game. Without Shamet (23 straight). 2 days' rest. So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-2 a night and Sacramento minus-8 and the turnovers, New York giving it away 15 times a game to Sacramento's 11. Call it New York 115, Sacramento 114, Sacramento keeping it close.