1/22 vs MIA — 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 114, shooting 47 percent and 31 from three, 27 free throws a game; Sharpe at 24 and Love at 16 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Henderson (44 straight), Murray (7 straight), Thybulle (39 straight). 3 days' rest. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 122, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Powell at 23 and Adebayo at 22 a game. Without Herro (3 straight). One day's rest. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-7 a night and Miami minus-2 and the arc, Miami at 38 percent from three to Portland's 31. Call it Portland 119, Miami 117, Miami keeping it close.

1/23 vs TOR — 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 118 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sharpe at 24 and Grant at 17 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Henderson (45 straight), Murray (8 straight), Thybulle (40 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barnes at 24 and Ingram at 23 a game. Without Barrett (7 straight), Poeltl (16 straight), Murray-Boyles (2 straight). One day's rest. So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-11 a night and Toronto plus-0 and the arc, Toronto at 39 percent from three to Portland's 33. Call it Portland 116, Toronto 115, Toronto keeping it close.

1/26 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brown at 33 and Hauser at 18 a game. Without Minott (11 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 109, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sharpe at 25 and Grant at 14 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Henderson (46 straight), Murray (9 straight), Thybulle (41 straight). 2 days' rest. So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-8 a night and Boston plus-0 and the arc, Boston at 38 percent from three to Portland's 33. Call it Boston 117, Portland 113, Portland keeping it close.

1/27 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 117, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sarr at 20 and George at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Coulibaly (5 straight), Bagley III (2 straight), Whitmore (23 straight). 2 days' rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sharpe at 22 and Grant at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Avdija (2 straight), Henderson (47 straight), Murray (10 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Portland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-6 a night and Washington minus-3 and the defense, Portland allowing 110 a night to Washington's 117. Call it Portland 116, Washington 114, Washington keeping it close.