NBA NEWS EXTRA EXTRA - WASHINGTON’S JAMISON AND PHOENIX’S STOUDEMIRE NAMED - MARCH 2008

Antawan Jamison - NBA photo Amare Stoudemire - NBA photo

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

WASHINGTON’S JAMISON AND PHOENIX’S STOUDEMIRE NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK for games played Monday, March 10, through Sunday, March 16.

NEW YORK, New York USA - Tuesday March 18, 2008

JAMISON AND STOUDEMIRE

The Washington Wizards’ Antawn Jamison and the Phoenix Suns’ Amaré Stoudemire today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 10, through Sunday, March 16.

Jamison led the Wizards to a 3-0 week, with wins over the Clippers, Cavaliers and Bucks. After collecting two double-doubles on the week, Jamison’s 37 double-doubles stand as the second highest total in the Eastern Conference (Dwight Howard, 59). Jamison averaged 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals during the undefeated week, helping Washington move above the .500 mark for the first time since Feb. 5.

Stoudemire led the Suns to a 3-0 week, with all three victories coming against Western Conference opponents. Stoudemire averaged 32.0 points on .660 shooting from the field, 11.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 blocks. The back-to-back 30-point, 10-rebound efforts on March 13 and March 15 marked the third time this year that Stoudemire recorded consecutive 30-point, 10-rebound games.

Here is a recap of the week for Jamison and Stoudemire:

Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards

March 11 vs Milwaukee: Collected 23 points and eight rebounds in a 105-97 victory.

March 13 vs. Cleveland: Tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds in a 101-99 victory.

March 15 vs. L.A. Clippers: Poured in 36 points and added 11 rebounds in a 119-109 win.

Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns

March 11 vs. Memphis: Collected 29 points, 13 rebounds and four assists in a 132-111 win.

March 13 vs. Golden State: Posted a 36-point, 11-rebound effort, and added four assists and four blocks in a 123-115 victory.

March 15 vs. Sacramento: Scored 30 points and added 10 rebounds in a 127-99 win.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, New Orleans’ Chris Paul, Orlando’s Rashard Lewis, Houston’s Tracy McGrady and Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki.

Rockets Extend Win Streak to 22!

It took 22 straight wins, but the Rockets finally rule the West - and have Rafer Alston to thank for it. He had 31, and hit 8-of-11 threes, to lead Houston past L.A. With their 104-92 victory over the Lakers on Sunday, the Rockets pushed their franchise-record winning streak to 22 games.

Houston passed the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks on Friday for the second longest stretch in NBA history. The Rockets still have a way to go if they plan on breaking the record of 33 straight victories achieved by the Lakers in the 1971-72 season. Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich and Miami Heat coach Pat Riley were on that squad. The team finished with a 69-13 regular season record and won the NBA title by defeating the New York Knicks in five games.

(NBA)