NEW YORK — Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul have been named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week.
Pierce led the Celtics to a 4-0 week, averaging 25.0 points (nearly six above his season average), 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He scored a season-high 36 points in a 102-95 victory over Charlotte on March 26, and finished the week with a team-high 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists in Sunday’ 91-72 win over the Miami Heat, the Celtics’ fifth victory in a row.
Paul guided the Clippers to a 4-0 mark, averaging 21.5 points on 56 percent shooting, with 11.3 assists. He began the week with 25 points and 10 assists against his former team, the New Orleans Hornets, in a 97-85 victory, and he matched his season high with 15 assists in a 103-86 win over the Phoenix Suns on March 28.
Here is a recap of the week for Pierce and Paul:
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
March 26 @ Charlotte: Season-high 36 points and 10 rebounds in a 102-95 win over the Bobcats.
March 30 @ Minnesota: 21 points, nine rebounds and two assists in a 100-79 win over the Timberwolves.
April 1 vs. Miami: 23 points, and added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 91-72 victory over the Heat.
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
March 26 vs. New Orleans: 25 points, 10 assists and four steals in a 97-85 win over the Hornets.
March 28 vs. Phoenix: 15 points, and matched a season high with 15 assists in a 103-86 win over the Suns.
March 30 vs. Portland: 20 points, 14 assists and four steals in a 98-97 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Other nominees were Boston’s Kevin Garnett, Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince, the L.A. Clippers’ Blake Griffin, New Jersey’s Deron Williams, New York’s Carmelo Anthony and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook.