Thibodeau, Popovich named coaches of the month

NEW YORK -- The Chicago Bulls' Tom Thibodeau and the San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich on Monday were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in March.

Thibodeau led the Bulls to a league- best 13-3 (.813) record including a league-leading 6-0 mark on the road. During the month the team recorded key wins over Central Division competitors Indiana (92-72 on March 5) and Milwaukee (106-104, March 7), while holding opponents to a league-low 43 percent shooting from the floor. Thibodeau recorded his 100th career win on March 19 at Orlando (86-59), his 131st game as head coach, becoming the fastest coach in NBA history to reach 100 wins.

Popovich guided the Spurs to a Western Conference-best 12-3 (.800) record in March, including a seven-game winning streak to close the month and victories in nine of the team's last 10 games. During the month, the Spurs ranked first with 107.1 points per game, nearly six points above their season average of 101.4. San Antonio went 4-1 on the road, including a 114-105 win March 16 at Western-Conference leading Oklahoma City, only the Thunder's third home loss.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Oklahoma City's Scott Brooks, Boston's Doc Rivers, Phoenix's Alvin Gentry and New York's Mike Woodson.