Heat’s LeBron James, Thunder’s Russell Westbrook named NBA Players of the Week

NEW YORK – The Miami Heat’s LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Feb. 4 through Sunday, Feb. 10.

 James led the Heat to a 4-0 week, which included wins over the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 31.3 points (second in the league) on .738 shooting from the field (second in the league), and added 6.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists. James scored at least 30 points in all four games and shot better than 61 percent from the field in each contest. His streak of 30-plus point games while shooting 60 percent or better stands at five straight, tied with Moses Malone (1981-82 season) and Adrian Dantley (1979-80 season) for the NBA record.

Westbrook guided the Thunder to a 4-0 week, which included wins over the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns (twice). He averaged 21.8 points, 6.0 assists, 3.3 steals and 3.0 rebounds. Oklahoma City won each game by 20 or more points as it improved to 39-12 (.765). The Thunder trails the San Antonio Spurs by ½ game for the top record in the league.

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

LeBron James, Miami Heat

Feb. 4 vs. Charlotte: Scored 31 points on 13-of-14 shooting and added eight rebounds and eight assists in a 99-94 win over the Bobcats.

Feb. 8 vs. L.A. Clippers: Posted 30 points on 9-of-11 shooting and added six assists and five rebounds in a 111-89 win over the Clippers.

Feb. 10 vs. L.A. Lakers: Collected 32 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals during a 107-97 win against the Lakers.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Feb. 4 vs. Dallas: Posted 24 points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals during a 112-91 win over the Mavericks.

Feb. 6 vs. Golden State: Tallied 22 points, five assists, four steals and three rebounds in a 119-98 win over the Warriors.

Feb. 10 @ Phoenix: Collected 24 points, six assists and four steals in a 97-69 win over the Suns.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, Houston’s James Harden, Indiana’s David West, New Orleans’ Greivis Vasquez, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, San Antonio’s Tony Parker, Toronto’s Rudy Gay and Washington’s Martell Webster.