James, Paul named Players of the Month for March

NEW YORK -- The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James and the New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors, respectively, for games played during March.

James paced the league in triple-doubles (four) and double-doubles (12), and among Eastern Conference players ranked second in scoring (28.2 ppg) and third in assists (8.4 apg). In a 119-111 win over Phoenix on March 12, James became the 12th player in NBA history to record three consecutive triple-doubles when he scored 34 points and added 13 assists and 10 rebounds. James finished the month with 479 points, 152 rebounds and 143 assists, becoming the second player in league history to reach those totals in one month (Oscar Robertson, 1964-65). At 16-1, Cleveland tied the NBA record for most wins in one month, becoming the fifth team to accomplish the feat and the first team since San Antonio went 16-0 in March 1996. James was named Player of the Week twice in March.

Paul led the Hornets to an 11-5 record, averaging 24.2 points, 10.8 assists, 5.9 rebounds and a Western Conference-best 3.2 steals. Paul shot .517 from the field and .944 from the free-throw line. On March 11, Paul tallied 30 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in a 109-98 win over Washington, for his sixth triple-double of the season. Paul notched 10 double-doubles (45 for the season) and was named Player of the Week once in March. He leads the NBA in assists and steals, and ranks second in triple-doubles and third in double-doubles.

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

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

March 7 vs. Miami: Scored 14 points and added 12 assists and 10 rebounds in a 99-89 win over the Heat.

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

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

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

March 19 vs. Portland: Tallied 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 97-92 overtime victory over the Trail Blazers.

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

March 5 vs. Dallas: Recorded 27 points and 15 assists in a 104-88 win over the Mavericks.

March 11 @ Washington: Tallied 30 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds and four steals in a 109-98 win over the Wizards.

March 13 @ Milwaukee: Scored 30 points and added nine assists, six rebounds and four steals in a 95-86 win over the Bucks.

March 20 vs. Memphis: Recorded 32 points, nine assists, five rebounds and five steals in a 96-84 win over the Grizzlies.

March 29 vs. San Antonio: Tallied 26 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals in a 90-86 win over the Spurs.

Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors were Charlotte's Gerald Wallace, Houston's Yao Ming, Miami's Dwyane Wade, Orlando's Dwight Howard, Philadelphia's Thaddeus Young, Portland's Brandon Roy and Utah's Deron Williams.

The Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors are part of a series of on-court performance awards called "The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors." The series, currently in its second season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and includes four of the league's most prestigious year-end honors: Most Valuable Player Award, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man Award, and Most Improved Player. As part of its support of the Performance Awards, Kia Motors will donate a brand-new 2010 Borrego SUV or Sedona minivan to the charity of choice of each 2009 award winner. For more information on the "The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors" visit www.NBA.com/performanceawards.