ATLANTA HAWKS’ STARTING FIVE AND
HOUSTON’S JAMES HARDEN NAMED KIA NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF
THE MONTH
NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2015 – The
Atlanta Hawks’ starting five and the Houston
Rockets’ James Harden were today named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western
Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.
The Hawks finished the best
calendar month in NBA history with a 17-0 record, outscoring opponents by an
average of 11.9 points and showing the offensive balance that has defined their
surge to the top of the East. All
five Atlanta starters averaged double figures in scoring, ranging from 12.3
points to 18.3 points. This marks the first time in league history that a
team has gone undefeated in a month with at least 10 victories and had all five
starters average double digits but none at 20-plus points. Paul Millsap (18.3 ppg in January), Al
Horford (17.1 ppg), Jeff Teague (16.6 ppg) and Kyle Korver (13.4 ppg) all
started each of the 16 games they appeared in for the month, and DeMarre
Carroll (12.3 ppg) started all 14 of his games. Millsap paced the Hawks in
rebounding (8.0 rpg), Teague led them in assists (8.5 apg) and steals (1.81
spg), Horford ranked first in blocks (1.38 bpg) and Korver was the team leader
in three-point percentage (56.7).
Harden ranked third in the NBA in scoring (25.8 ppg)
for the month, as he helped the Rockets to an 11-6 record. Harden added 6.7 apg (fifth in the West) and
2.18 steals (third in the West), and shot 42.6 percent from three-point
range. Harden posted three point-assist
double-doubles, and scored 30-or-more points on seven occasions. On Jan. 25, Harden showed off his versatility
with 37 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals during a 99-87 win
over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.
Here
is a closer look at the month for the Atlanta
Hawks’ starting five and Harden:
Atlanta Hawks Starting
Five
Jan. 11 vs. Washington: All scored in double
figures, four shot .500 or better from the field, one posted a double-double,
and two recorded four steals in a 120-89 win over the Wizards.
Jan. 16 @ Toronto: All scored in double
figures and shot .500 or better from the field, and all had multiple assists
during a 110-89 win over the Raptors.
Jan. 28 vs. Brooklyn: All scored in double
figures, four shot .500 or better from the field, and three posted
double-doubles in a 113-102 win over the Nets.
James Harden, Houston
Rockets
Jan. 15 vs. Oklahoma City: Scored 31 points and added
10 assists and nine rebounds during a 112-101 win over the Thunder.
Jan. 19 vs. Indiana: Poured in 45 points and
added seven assists and four steals in a 110-98 win over the Pacers.
Jan. 23 @ Phoenix: Contributed 33 points, 10
assists, six rebounds and three steals during a 113-111 win over the Suns.
Other nominees for Kia NBA
Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, Detroit’s
Greg Monroe, Golden State’s Klay Thompson, Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin,
DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul, Memphis’ Zach Randolph, Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe,
and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge.
Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the
Month
The
Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month are part of a
series of oncourt performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.”
The series, currently in its eighth season, is part of a multiyear marketing
partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and includes five of the
league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia Most Valuable Player Award, Kia
Defensive Player of the Year, Kia Sixth Man Award, Kia Most Improved Player
Award, and Kia Rookie of the Year. The
series also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the
Month during the regular season. In
addition to continuing to serve as the league’s Official Automotive Partner,
Kia is also the Official Luxury Vehicle of the NBA, following the introduction
of the brand’s modern and elegant K900 rear-drive luxury sedan. For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance
Awards” visit www.NBA.com/awards.
