12/29 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; McCollum at 19 and George at 17 a game. Without Kispert (2 straight), Gill (2 straight), Cooper (12 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Brooks at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Allen (5 straight), Green (21 straight). One day's rest. So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 109 a night to Washington's 120 and the turnovers, Phoenix giving it away 15 times a game to Washington's 11. Call it Phoenix 119, Washington 115, Washington keeping it close.

12/31 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 17 and Portis at 17 a game. Without Prince (25 straight), Nance (2 straight), Anthony (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; McCollum at 17 and Johnson at 16 a game. Without George (2 straight), Kispert (3 straight), Cooper (13 straight). One day's rest. So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the defense, Milwaukee allowing 108 a night to Washington's 119. Call it Milwaukee 118, Washington 112.

1/02 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; McCollum at 17 and Johnson at 15 a game. Without George (3 straight), Kispert (4 straight), Cooper (14 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 26 and Thomas at 21 a game. Without Saraf (8 straight), Etienne (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 107 a night to Washington's 117 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 16 times a game to Washington's 13. Call it Washington 114, Brooklyn 113, Brooklyn keeping it close.

1/04 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Washington comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; McCollum at 18 and Johnson at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without George (4 straight), Watkins (2 straight), Kispert (5 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Randle at 21 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the defense, Washington allowing 111 a night to Minnesota's 121 and the glass, where Washington has been plus-6 a night and Minnesota plus-0. Call it Washington 118, Minnesota 117, Minnesota keeping it close.