LeBron James Puts Health In Jeopardy With Unexpected Decision vs Hawks

Maybe that reduced practice is what led to LeBron James being fit for the back-to-back game. It is a much-needed boost as the Atlanta Hawks are 6-0 on the West Coast this season. Moreover, the Hawks have won three straight games and five of their last seven, including a convincing 124-111 win over the Warriors.

LeBron James had recorded 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a solitary steal in only 33 minutes against the Kings in the last game. But the concern from the game remained. He had a rough shooting night from the three, particularly as he failed to register even one from five attempts. It was not just him missing good looks; the majority of the team suffered the same fate, with just 22.2% shooting from 3-point range.

The team went 8-36 from beyond the arc. Luka Doncic was the only starter to score that too, with an inefficient 2-9, while LeBron James, LaRavia, Smart, and Ayton failed to convert even one with a total of 13 efforts. This is concerning when the Hawks have the 14th-best defensive rating this year. They are ranked 8th in steals and 9th in 3P% allowed, which will surely be a concern for the Lakers.

The Hawks, since New Year's Eve, have gone 5-2 with wins over the Timberwolves, Knicks, and Nuggets, while sporting the league's second-best defensive rating. With the athletic wings in 6-foot-9 Jalen Johnson, 6-foot-9 Onyeka Okongwu, 6-foot-7 defensive ace Dyson Daniels, and 6-foot-5 Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the backcourt, surely the Hawks will make it difficult for the Lakers.

"Literally, we can't make a shot. We were 28th before tonight in three-point percentage; we'll be 29th or 30th after tonight," added an unhappy Redick. "This has been the theme, but we've just got to keep on shooting, I guess." While the coach wants the players to continue shooting, LeBron James expects more efficiency.

"They made a bunch of threes. We didn't make many. Tonight was just one of those cases where you didn't make shots. We got some very, very good looks. I got some great looks that you just have to knock down. And we didn't." This season, the Lakers haven't lost four games in a row. With LeBron and Luka Doncic, this gives them extra impetus to win the game.