The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 11.
James led the Cavaliers to a 4-0 week, pacing the NBA in scoring with 32.5 points (on 58.5 percent shooting) while averaging 8.0 assists (second in the East), 7.8 rebounds and 2.25 steals (tied for fourth in the East).
On Dec. 9, he scored 27 points and passed Elvin Hayes for ninth place on the all-time scoring list in a 114-84 victory over the Miami Heat.
Gasol led the Grizzlies to a 4-0 week behind averages of 27.3 points (fourth in the West), 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 blocks.
He began the week by recording his second career triple-double, finishing with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 110-108 double-overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Charlotte’s Nicolas Batum, Golden State’s Klay Thompson, Houston’s James Harden, New York’s Carmelo Anthony, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, and Washington’s John Wall.