The Hornets had a good December as they ended the month with a 10-3 record after a 97-85 victory at home against the Wizards on Tuesday night.
The Hornets began the month with a three-game winning streak, matched their season-best four-game winning streak midway through the month, and closed with a three-game winning streak. Their only losses during December were against teams with some of the best records in the NBA -- the Celtics, Lakers, and Magic.
The Hornets (19-9), who have not had a losing month since March of 2007, next play Friday in Portland to start a four-game West Coast trip.
"It was a pretty good month for us," coach Byron Scott said. "We needed to have that, because looking ahead, we know January is going to be a tough month."
The Hornets play 16 games in January, including four sets of back-to-back games, and nine of the 16 are on the road.
HORNETS 97, WIZARDS 85: Chris Paul had a triple-double, scoring 15 points, getting 16 assists, and collecting 10 rebounds to lead the Hornets on Tuesday night in the New Orleans Arena.
It was Paul's third triple-double of the season and the seventh of his career, tying Anthony Mason's franchise record.
The game was tied at halftime, but the Hornets held the Wizards to 39 second-half points to win their third consecutive game.
The Hornets ended a three-game losing streak against the Wizards.
New Orleans outscored Washington by 27 points in three-pointers, making 10-of-28 while the Wizards made 1-of-9.
