Paul Pierce and Kevin Durant led their respective teams to a stellar March.

Photos via Getty Images/NBAE

Pierce, Durant named Eastern, Western players of the month

By Official release
Posted Apr 4 2012 8:00PM

NEW YORK -- The Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce and the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in March.

Pierce led the Celtics to a 12-5 month (second in the Eastern Conference), averaging 22.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Pierce recorded six games of 25 or more points. In 102-95 win at Charlotte on March 26, Pierce recorded season highs of 36 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Pierce played his 1,000th game with the Celtics against Portland on March 9, becoming the 16th player in NBA history to play in 1,000 games for a single franchise.

Durant captured his second consecutive Player of the Month award, leading Oklahoma City to an 11-5 record (second in the Western Conference) in March. Durant ranked second in the league in scoring (27.6 ppg), netting at least 20 points 15 times and eclipsing 30 on five occasions. He added averages of 8.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists, and recorded three double-doubles. In a 149-140 double overtime win against Minnesota on March 23, Durant scored 40 points and grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds. Two nights later, in a 103-87 victory over Miami, Durant had 28 points, nine rebounds and season-high-tying eight assists.

Here is a closer look at the month for Pierce and Durant: