NEW YORK — The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love and the Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 27.
Love led the Cavaliers to a 3-0 week behind an East-leading 30.7 points to go with 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals. He connected on 19-of-29 three-point attempts (65.5 percent) and made all 21 of his free-throw attempts. On Nov. 23, he scored a season-high 40 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out three assists in a 137-125 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Love set an NBA record with 34 first-quarter points, the second-highest total in any quarter in league history.
Durant helped the Warriors to a 4-0 week behind averages of 24.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.75 blocked shots (tied for second in the West). He connected on 9-of-18 attempts (50.0 percent) from three-point range. On Nov. 23, he scored 28 points (on 11-for-15 shooting from the field) and added six rebounds and five assists in a 149-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He closed the week with 28 points, 10 rebounds, a career-high six blocks and five assists as Golden State extended its winning streak to 11 games with a 115-102 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 26.
Here is a recap of the week for Love and Durant:
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
Nov. 23 vs. Portland: Scored 40 points (34 in the first quarter) and hit 8-for-12 three-pointers in a 137-125 win over the Trail Blazers
Nov. 25 vs. Dallas: Finished with 27 points, including 7-for-9 on three-point attempts, to go with 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals in a 128-90 victory over the Mavericks.
Nov. 27 @ Philadelphia: Tallied 25 points and 11 rebounds in a 112-108 victory over the 76ers.
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Nov. 23 vs. L.A. Lakers: Recorded 28 points, six rebounds and five assists in a 149-106 win over the Lakers.
Nov. 25 @ L.A. Lakers: Notched 29 points, nine assists, six rebounds and two blocks in a 109-85 victory against the Lakers.
Nov. 26 vs. Minnesota: Posted 28 points, 10 rebounds, a career-high six blocks and five assists in a 115-102 win over the Timberwolves.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Houston’s James Harden, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, New York’s Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and Toronto’s Kyle Lowry.
