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Waiters, Lillard named Kia Rookies of Month

Official release
Posted Mar 1, 2013 8:14 PM

NEW YORK -- The Cleveland Cavaliers' Dion Waiters and the Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.

LeBron, Kobe take Player of Month honors

Waiters ranked first among Eastern Conference rookies in scoring (15.8 ppg) and assists (3.1 apg), second in steals (1.1 spg) and field goal percentage (.514) and third in minutes (28.2 mpg). In 12 games played in February, Waiters scored in double figures 10 times, including four games of 20 points or more. He helped lead the Cavaliers to a 7-5 record in February, the team's first winning month since March 2010.

Lillard, winner of his fourth consecutive Kia Rookie of the Month award, led all rookies in scoring (18.4 ppg) and assists (6.4 apg). He became the first NBA player to record 1,000 points and 300 assists in his first 55 career games since LeBron James did it (2003-04). Lillard was also the winner of the 2013 Taco Bell Skills Challenge at All-Star Weekend in Houston.
Here is a recap of the month for Waiters and Lillard:

Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers

Feb. 2 vs. Oklahoma City: Posted 12 points, a career-high six rebounds, six assists and two steals in a 115-110 win over the Thunder.

Feb. 13 vs. San Antonio: Recorded 20 points, four assists and tied a career-high with six rebounds in a 96-95 loss to the Spurs.

Feb. 24 @ Miami: Tallied 26 points, three assists and two rebounds in a 109-105 loss to the Heat.

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Feb. 2 vs. Utah: Had 23 points, eight assists and three rebounds in a 105-99 victory over the Jazz.

Feb. 4 @ Minnesota: Posted 21 points, four rebounds and six assists during a 100-98 win over the Timberwolves.

Feb. 12 @ Miami: Posted 33 points and three assists in a 117-104 loss to the Heat.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Golden State's Harrison Barnes, New Orleans' Anthony Davis, Orlando's Maurice Harkless and Washington's Bradley Beal.

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