Bryant, James named Players of the Week

NEW YORK -- The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 9, through Sunday, March 15.

James was second in the league in points (34.0 ppg) and assists (10.8), and added 8.8 rpg, as the Cavaliers went 4-0 and clinched the Central Division title for the second time in franchise history (1975-76). James became the 12th player in NBA history to have three consecutive triple-doubles and recorded his eighth career game of 50-plus points. With three road wins against the L.A. Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings, Cleveland improved to an Eastern Conference-best 22-4 against the Western Conference. This is James' sixth Player of the Week Award this season.

Bryant paced the Western Conference in scoring (28.5 ppg) and added 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists, leading the Lakers to a 3-1 week. In a 102-95 win over San Antonio on March 12, Bryant recorded 23 points and six assists as the Lakers clinched their 20th Pacific Division title and their 56th postseason appearance in 61 NBA seasons. This is Bryant's third Player of the Week Award this season.

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

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

March 10 @ L.A. Clippers: Tallied 32 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and two steals in a 87-83 win over the Clippers.

March 12 @ Phoenix: Recorded 34 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds, three blocks and three steals in a 119-111 win over the Suns.

March 13 @ Sacramento: Poured in 51 points, and added nine assists and three blocks in a 126-123 overtime win over the Kings.

March 15 vs. New York: Scored 19 points, and added 10 assists, eight rebounds, four steals and three blocks in a 98-93 win over the Knicks.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

March 9 @ Portland: Recorded 26 points and three assists in a 111-94 loss to the Trail Blazers.

March 11 @ Houston: Posted 37 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals in a 102-96 win over the Rockets.

March 12 @ San Antonio: Tallied 23 points, six assists and four rebounds in a 102-95 win over the Spurs.

March 15 vs. Dallas: Scored 28 points, and added eight rebounds and five assists in a 107-100 win over the Mavericks.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta's Joe Johnson, Cleveland's Mo Williams, Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, Miami's Dwyane Wade, New Orleans' Chris Paul, New York's Nate Robinson, Philadelphia's Thaddeus Young and Portland's Brandon Roy.