NEW YORK — The Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan and the Houston Rockets’ James Harden today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 18.
DeRozan led the Raptors to a 3-1 week, averaging a league-high 31.5 points on 60.5 percent shooting to go with 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. This marks the second time this season he has scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games. DeRozan also shot over 50.0 percent from the field in all four games. On Dec. 16, he tallied 34 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 125-121 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. On Dec. 18, he finished with 31 points, three rebounds and three assists in a 109-79 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Harden led the Rockets to a 4-0 week behind averages of 27.0 points (third in the West), a league-best 12.8 assists, 9.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals. He recorded back-to-back triple-doubles in victories over the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans, giving him six for the season and 15 for his career. Harden surpassed Hakeem Olajuwon for most triple-doubles in Rockets franchise history. He tallied at least 20 points and 10 assists in three of four games, giving him 18 such games this season, tops in the league.
Here is a recap of the week for DeRozan and Harden:
DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
Dec. 12 vs. Milwaukee: Scored 30 points on 7-of-11 shooting in a 122-100 win over the Bucks.
Dec. 14 @ Philadelphia: Tallied 31 points, five rebounds and three assists in a 123-114 win over the 76ers.
Dec. 16 vs. Atlanta: Posted 34 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 125-121 loss to the Hawks.
Dec. 18 @ Orlando: Scored 31 points on 13-of-21 shooting to go with five rebounds, four assists and a steal in a 109-79 victory over the Magic.
James Harden, Houston Rockets
Dec. 12 vs Brooklyn: Notched 36 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and two steals in a 122-118 victory over the Nets.
Dec. 14 vs. Sacramento: Recorded a triple-double with 15 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in a 132-98 win over the Kings.
Dec. 16 vs. New Orleans: Recorded his second straight triple-double with 29 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds in a 122-100 win over the Pelicans.
Dec. 17 @ Minnesota: Scored 28 points to go with 13 assists and nine rebounds in a 111-109 win over the Timberwolves.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week include Golden State’s Kevin Durant, the LA Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Utah’s Rudy Gobert and Washington’s Bradley Beal and John Wall.