DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month for April.
Preparing for the playoffs, DeRozan averaged an East-best 24.1 points per game for the month and added 4.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He shot 49.2 % from the field and led the East with 49 free throw attempts — he made 85.7 % (42-of-49) — despite missing one of the Raptors’ eight games. Toronto went 5-2 with DeRozan, who capped the regular season on April 15 against the Charlotte Hornets by contributing 16 points, six assists and four rebounds in a 92-87 win that gave the Raptors a franchise-best 49 victories.
Westbrook won for the West for the third consecutive month, averaging an NBA-high 32.5 points, 8.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds. The Thunder All-Star recorded two triple-doubles, raising his league-leading total to 11, and he scored 36 or more points four times in eight games.
April Games for both players :
DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
April 3 @ Brooklyn: Posted 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a 114-109 loss to the Nets.
April 10 @ Orlando: Tallied 29 points, five assists and three rebounds in a 101-99 victory over the Magic.
April 11 @ Miami: Finished with 24 points, six rebounds and four steals in a 107-104 win over the Heat.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
April 5 vs. Houston: Recorded a triple-double of 40 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 115-112 loss to the Rockets.
April 10 vs. Sacramento: Contributed 27 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a 116-103 win over the Kings.
April 13 vs. Portland: Scored 36 points and added 11 rebounds and seven assists in a 101-90 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Source: NBA