After losing five of six games in late December without the injured Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers were in desperate need of something positive.
Starting on New Year’s Eve, they won three straight games, and at least for a minute, the doom and gloom surrounding the team lightened.
LeBron James had an amazing December, and he continued his stellar play into January.
On the seventh of the month, the Lakers hosted the Atlanta Hawks, and he shined on both ends of the floor.
James had 32 points on 13-of-24 shooting from the floor, eight rebounds, nine assists, four steals and three blocked shots.
L.A. played an excellent all-around game on both ends of the floor. For one of the few times all season, its defense was on point, and that led to it getting a solid number of fast-break points.
The Lakers came out with a 134-118 win, and with a 21-19 record, hope grew they could salvage their season.