Jimmy Butler, James Harden named Players of the Week

The Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler and the Houston Rockets' James Harden today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 22, through Sunday, Dec. 28.

Butler led the Bulls to a 4-0 week behind averages of 23.0 points (seventh in the conference), 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 blocks. His 40.2 minutes per contest led the league.

Harden helped the Rockets to a 2-1 week, which included wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged a league-best 34.7 points and added 7.3 assists (eighth in the conference), 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta's Paul Millsap, Brooklyn's Jarrett Jack, Detroit's Andre Drummond, Los Angeles Clippers' Jamal Crawford and Blake Griffin, New Orleans' Anthony Davis, Phoenix's Eric Bledsoe, Portland's Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews, and Toronto's Kyle Lowry.