Miami’s Wade and Utah's Williams Named Players of the Week
10th March 2009The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade and the Utah Jazz’s Deron Williams were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 2, through Sunday, March 8.
Wade led the league in scoring, averaging 35.8 points and paced the Eastern Conference in assists (11.3 apg) and steals (3.25 spg) as Miami went 2-2 on the week. On March 4, Wade scored 35 points and added 16 assists in the Heat’s 135-129 win over Phoenix. Wade has shot 50 percent or better from the field in nine of his last 10 games and has scored in double figures in all 62 games this season. This marks Wade’s third Player of the Week award this season.
Williams led the Jazz to a 3-0 week, averaging 25.3 points and 11.3 assists. On March 8 at Toronto, Williams scored nine of his 25 points and added three assists in the fourth quarter to help the Jazz rally from an 88-81 deficit for the eventual 109-101 win. With its 11-game winning streak, the Jazz now lead the Northwest Division by 0.5 games, after trailing Denver by six games on Feb. 18.
Here is a recap of the week for Wade and Williams:
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat March 2 vs. Cleveland: Tallied 41 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and seven steals in a 107-100 loss to the Cavaliers. March 4 vs. Phoenix: Recorded 35 points, 16 assists and six rebounds in a 135-129 win over the Suns. March 6 @ Toronto: Poured in 42 points, and added eight assists and six rebounds in a 108-102 win over the Raptors. March 7 @ Cleveland: Scored 25 points, and added 12 assists, eight rebounds and four steals in a 99-89 loss to the Cavaliers.
Deron Williams, Utah Jazz March 4 vs. Houston: Recorded 26 points, 14 assists and five rebounds in a 101-94 win over the Rockets. March 6 vs. Denver: Posted 25 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and two blocks in a 97-91 win over the Nuggets. March 8 @ Toronto: Tallied 25 points and nine assists in a 109-101 win over the Raptors.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Charlotte’s Raymond Felton, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Mo Williams, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Houston’s Yao Ming, Indiana’s Jarrett Jack, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, New Jersey’s Devin Harris and San Antonio’s Tony Parker.