Heat’s LeBron James, Rockets’ James Harden named NBA Players of the Week

NEW YORK The Miami Heat’s LeBron James and the Houston Rockets’ James Harden today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 18 through Sunday, March 24.

James led the Heat to a 4-0 mark as Miami extended its winning streak to 26 games, the second longest streak in NBA history, trailing only the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers (33). He averaged 30.8 points, 10.0 assists, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 blocks, while shooting 59 percent from the field. He recorded his fourth triple-double of the season with 25 points (14 in the fourth quarter), 12 rebounds and 10 assists, as the Heat rallied from a 27-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 20. He scored a team-high 37 points to go with 12 assists as Miami came from 17 points down to win at Boston on March 18. This is James’ sixth Player of the Week nod this season.

Harden led the Rockets to a 3-0 week with averages of 26.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He scored a game-high 29 points, connecting on 17-of-18 from the free throw line, in a win over Utah on March 20. He hit a jumper with 4.5 seconds left to lift the Rockets to a 96-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs, capping a 29-point, nine-rebound, six-assist effort, on March 24. This is the third time Harden has captured Player of the Week honors this season.

Here is a recap of the week for James and Harden:

LeBron James, Miami Heat

March 18 @ Boston: Scored a team-high 37 points and added 12 assists and seven rebounds in a 105-103 win over the Celtics.

March 20 @ Cleveland: Notched his fourth triple-double of the season with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a 98-95 win over the Cavaliers.

March 24 vs. Charlotte: Scored a game-high 32 points to go with 10 assists and eight rebounds in a 109-77 victory over the Bobcats.

James Harden, Houston Rockets  

March 20 vs. Utah: Shot 17-for-18 from the free throw line on his way to scoring 29 points in a 100-93 win over the Jazz

March 22 vs. Cleveland: Finished with 20 points, two assists and two steals in a 116-78 victory over the Cavaliers.   March 24 vs. San Antonio: Hit game-winning jumper with 4.5 seconds left to give the Rockets a 96-95 win over the Spurs. Finished with team-high 29 points

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Al Horford, Brooklyn’s Brook Lopez, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, New York’s Carmelo Anthony and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge.