NEW YORK – The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in March.

James lifted the Cavaliers to an East-best 11-4 record in March by leading the conference in scoring (24.7 ppg), ranking fourth in assists (7.3 apg), finishing sixth in steals (1.73 spg) and adding 6.3 rebounds. The 6-8 forward scored at least 20 points in 12 of 15 games, including two 30-point performances, and he shot 48.2 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three-point range. James matched his season high with 14 assists in a 120-112 victory over the Toronto Raptors on March 4, and he set a season high with five steals to go with 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 108-90 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on March 22.

Westbrook averaged an NBA-high 30.9 points, was second in both assists (10.2 apg) and steals (2.5 spg), and contributed 8.5 rebounds (12^th in the West) to lead Oklahoma City to a 10-5 month. The 6-3 guard had his second straight 30-point, 10-assist month, giving him two of three such months (minimum 10 games played) in the NBA over the last 40 years (James has the other, in February 2010). Westbrook posted four triple-doubles during the month, including a 49-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist outing in a 123-118 overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers on March 4.

James and Westbrook both won the award in their respective conferences for the second month in a row. Here is a closer look at this past month for James and Westbrook:

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

March 4 @ Toronto: Recorded 29 points, 14 assists and six rebounds in a 120-112 victory over the Raptors.

March 10 @ Dallas: Posted 27 points (on 10-of-14 shooting), eight assists and seven rebounds in 29 minutes in a 127-94 win over the Mavs.

March 22 @ Milwaukee: Collected 28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals in a 108-90 victory against the Bucks.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

March 4 vs. Philadelphia: Finished with 49 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a 123-118 overtime win against the 76ers.

March 15 vs. Chicago: Scored 36 points and added 11 rebounds and six assists in a 109-100 victory over the Bulls.

March 20 vs. Atlanta: Tallied 36 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in a 123-115 win over the Hawks.

Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Brooklyn’s Brook Lopez, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Houston’s James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, Chris Paul and J.J. Redick, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.

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 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.