http://www.nba.com/news/playersoftheweek_071231.html NEW YORK, Dec. 31, 2007 – The Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce and the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 24 through Sunday, Dec 30. Pierce led the Celtics to a 4-0 week averaging 27.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals including a season-high 37 points at Seattle on Dec. 27. He helped lead the Celtics to their first undefeated four-game West coast road trip since the 1992-93 season bringing the Celtics to eight straight wins on the road, the longest such streak since the 1980-81 season. Paul led New Orleans to a 3-0 week by averaging 25.7 points, 9.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 steals. The third year guard had his second 40-point game performance of the month at Memphis on Dec. 26 and connected on a career-high 17 field goals and on Dec. 29 against Cleveland, Paul tied his career-high with seven steals. Currently at 21.4 points, 10.0 assists and 3.0 steals on the season, Paul is looking to become the second player in 16 years to average 20-plus points and 10-plus assists (Steve Nash, 2006-07) and the first player in NBA history to average 20-plus points, 10-plus assists and 3-plus steals. Here is a closer look at the week for Pierce and Paul: Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics Dec. 26 @ Sacramento: Tallied 16 points, four rebounds and six assists in an 89-69 win over the Kings. Dec. 27 @ Seattle: Poured in 37 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists in a 104-96 win over the SuperSonics. Dec. 29 @ Utah: Collected 24 points, six rebounds and four assists in a 104-98 win over the Jazz. Dec. 30 @ LA Lakers: Notched 33 points, eight rebounds, three assists and four steals in a 110-91 win over the Lakers. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets Dec. 26 @ Memphis: Posted 40 points, six rebounds, nine assists and five steals in a 116-98 win over the Grizzlies. Dec. 28 @ Charlotte: Tallied 17 points, two rebounds and 11 assists in a 99-85 win over the Bobcats. Dec. 29 vs. Cleveland: Registered 20 points, five rebounds, nine assists and seven steals in an 86-76 win over the Cavaliers. Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Boston’s Kevin Garnett, Denver’s Marcus Camby, Detroit’s Richard Hamilton, Golden State’s Baron Davis, L.A. Clippers Chris Kaman, Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu, Phoenix’s Steve Nash and Amaré Stoudemire, Portland’s Brandon Roy and Washington’s Caron Butler.
