The Charlotte Hornets’ Nicolas Batum and the Sacramento Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week on Monday.
Batum led the Hornets to a 3-1 week behind averages of 25.5 points (fifth in the East), 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The French native ranked fifth in the conference in three-point field goal percentage (57.7 percent) as he connected on 15-of-26 triples on the week. Batum stuffed the stat sheet against his former team on November 15. as he posted 33 points, six assists and five rebounds during a 106-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Cousins led the Kings to a 3-1 week behind averages of 32.5 points (tied-first in the conference) and 11.0 rebounds (third in the conference). He posted a point-rebound double-double in three of four contests, including a 40-point, 13-rebound effort on November 13 during a 111-109 win over the Nets. The sixth-year big man connected on 9-of-19 (47.4 percent) three-point field goals on the week and also collected six blocks and three steals.
NICOLAS BATUM, CHARLOTTE HORNETS
November 10 @ Minnesota: Scored 17 points and added six rebounds, three assists and two blocks during a 104-95 win over the Timberwolves.
November 11 v New York: Posted 24 points and five rebounds in a 95-93 win over the Knicks.
November 13 @ Chicago: Scored 28 points and added eight rebounds during a 102-97 loss to the Bulls.
November 15 v Portland: Collected 33 points, six assists and five rebounds in a 106-94 win over the Trail Blazers.
DEMARCUS COUSINS, SACRAMENTO KINGS
November 9 v San Antonio: Scored 21 points and added 12 rebounds and three assists in a 106-88 loss to the Spurs.
November 11 v Detroit: Tallied 33 points and nine rebounds in a 101-92 win over the Pistons.
November 13 v Brooklyn: Scored 40 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 111-109 win over the Nets.
November 15 v Toronto: Posted 36 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a 107-101 win over the Raptors.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Cleveland’s LeBron James, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Indiana’s Paul George, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford and Blake Griffin, Miami’s Chris Bosh, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor, Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe and Toronto’s Kyle Lowry.
