NEW YORK – The Chicago Bulls’ Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry were today named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November.

Butler led Chicago and ranked ninth in the NBA scoring (21.9 ppg) as the Bulls posted an 11-6 mark, good for first place in the Central Division.  He topped the 20-point mark 11 times, including two 30-point outings, raising his scoring average more than eight points from last season, when he averaged 13.1 points.  Butler shot .498 from the field while posting seven games with double-figure free throw attempts to rank fourth in the NBA in free throw attempts per game (8.8).  Butler also led the NBA in minutes (39.3 mpg).

Curry guided the Warriors to a 14-2 record to start the season, ranking fifth in the NBA in scoring (23.8 ppg) and assists (7.8 apg), seventh in steals (1.94 spg), third in free throw percentage (.923) and second in three-point field goals made (51).   He was one of two players in the NBA to shoot at least 49 percent from the field (.496), 40 percent from three-point range (.418) and 90 percent (.923) from the free throw line.  Curry posted four 30-point games and one 40-point game. He also dished out at least five assists in all 16 games.

Here is a closer look at the month for Butler and Curry:

Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Nov. 13 @ Toronto: Finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a 100-93 win over the Raptors.

Nov. 17 @ L.A. Clippers: Scored 22 points and added eight assists and six rebounds in a 105-89 win over the Clippers.

Nov. 30 @ Brooklyn: Shot 11-for-13 from the free throw line on his way to 26 points in a 102-84 win over the Nets.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Nov. 1 vs. L.A. Lakers: Finished with 31 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a 127-104 win over the Lakers.

Nov. 8 @ Houston: Scored 34 points on 13-for-19 shooting and added nine rebounds and five assists in a 98-87 win over the Rockets.

Nov. 25 @ Miami: Connected on 8-of-11 three-pointers on his way to a season-high 40 points in a 114-97 win over the Heat.

Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Atlanta’s Jeff Teague, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Houston’s James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Memphis’ Marc Gasol, Miami’s Chris Bosh, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, and Washington’s John Wall.

Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month
The Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month are part of a series of oncourt performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its eighth season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and includes five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia Most Valuable Player Award, Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Kia Sixth Man Award, Kia Most Improved Player Award, and Kia Rookie of the Year.  The series also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month during the regular season.  In addition to continuing to serve as the league’s Official Automotive Partner, Kia is also the Official Luxury Vehicle of the NBA, following the introduction of the brand’s modern and elegant K900 rear-drive luxury sedan.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards” visit www.NBA.com/awards.