Magic's Howard, Blazers' Aldridge named Kia Players of Month

NEW YORK -- The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard and the Portland Trail Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played during February.

Howard led the league in field goal percentage (.667) and paced the Eastern Conference in rebounding (14.8 rpg). He also ranked third in the East in both scoring (26.6 ppg) and blocks (2.00 bpg). Howard led the Magic to a 7-4 mark during the month, including a 111-88 win over Oklahoma City Feb. 25, in which the All-Star center recorded 40 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks. Including the game against the Thunder, Howard had three performances in February of at least 30 points and 15 rebounds. Since 2007-08, he has 28 such games, the most in the NBA.

Aldridge helped the Trail Blazers to an 8-4 month by leading the Western Conference with 27.8 ppg -- his highest scoring average in any month this season -- on .563 shooting from the field, to go along with 9.3 rebounds, 1.67 steals and 1.58 blocks. Aldridge opened the month with a 40-point, 11-rebound effort in a 99-86 win over San Antonio Feb. 1. He scored over 30 points five times and posted six point/rebound double-doubles.

Here is a closer look at the month for Howard and Aldridge:

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Feb. 9 @. Philadelphia: Recorded 30 points and 17 rebounds in a 99-95 win over the Sixers.

Feb. 13 vs. L.A. Lakers: Tallied 31 points and 13 rebounds in an 89-75 victory over the Lakers.

Feb. 23 vs. Sacramento: Registered 31 points to go along with 17 rebounds in a 111-105 loss to the Kings.

Feb. 25 vs. Oklahoma City: Tied a season high with 40 points to go along with 15 boards and six blocks in a 111-88 triumph over the Thunder.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

Feb. 1 vs. San Antonio: Recorded 40 points, 11 rebounds in a 99-86 victory over the Spurs.

Feb. 7 vs. Chicago: Tallied 42 points and eight rebounds in a 109-103 win over the Bulls.

Feb. 11 @ Toronto: Scored 37 points and added 10 rebounds in a 102-96 win over the Raptors.

Feb. 25 vs. Denver: Recorded a 24-point, 14-rebound double-double in a 107-106 win over the Nuggets.

Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Denver's/New York's Carmelo Anthony, Philadelphia's Elton Brand, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, Miami's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Houston's Kevin Martin and Phoenix's Steve Nash.