NEW YORK – The Miami Heat’s LeBron James and the Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November.

James led the Heat to an Eastern Conference-best 11-3 (.786) mark, matching the team’s best start through 14 games. In the Eastern Conference, James ranked second in scoring (25.0 ppg), fifth in field goal percentage (.533), sixth in rebounding (8.9 rpg) and eighth in assists (6.5 apg). James tallied at least 20 points in all 14 games, marking the first time in his career he opened the season with that many consecutive 20-plus-point games. In a Nov. 9 victory over Atlanta, 95-89, James had 11 boards, in the process grabbing the 5,000^th rebound of his career.

Durant helped the Thunder to a 13-4 (.765) record and a four-game cushion in the Northwest Division. Durant ranked second overall in scoring (26.5 ppg) while shooting .510 from the field, .433 from behind the three-point line and .893 from the charity stripe. Additionally, Durant contributed 8.8 rpg, 4.4 apg and 1.65 bpg. He recorded his first career triple-double – 25 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists – in a 119-109 win over Golden State on Nov. 18.

Here is a closer look at the month for James and Durant:

LeBron James, Miami Heat

Nov. 7 vs. Brooklyn: Recorded 20 points, a season-high 12 rebounds and eight assists in 103-73 win over the Nets.

Nov. 12 @ Houston: Scored a season-high 38 points and added 10 rebounds and six assists in a 113-110 victory over the Rockets.

Nov. 15 @ Denver: Tallied 27 points and season highs of 12 assists and three blocks in a 98-93 win in Denver.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Nov. 2 vs. Portland: Scored 23 points and grabbed a season-high 17 boards in a 106-92 win over the Trail Blazers.

Nov. 24 @ Philadelphia: Netted 37 points to go along with eight rebounds, four steals and three blocks in a 116-109 OT win over the Sixers.

Nov. 28 vs. Houston: Collected 37 points, seven boards and four assists in a 120-98 triumph over the Rockets.

Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Atlanta’s Al Horford; Brooklyn’s Brook Lopez; Charlotte’s Kemba Walker; Cleveland’s Anderson Varejao; Dallas’ O.J. Mayo; Houston’s James Harden; the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul; Memphis’ Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Rudy Gay, and Zach Randolph; New York’s Carmelo Anthony; Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook; Philadelphia’s Jrue Holiday; and San Antonio’s Tim Duncan.

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 on-court performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its sixth 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: Most Valuable Player Award, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man Award, Most Improved Player Award, and Rookie of the Year.  For the first time, the series also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month during the regular season.  Kia Motors is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA and the Kia Optima is the league’s Official Vehicle.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards” visit www.NBA.com/awards.